Dancers from the Haynesville Youth Club teach their Panamanian counterparts from Fundación Mamá Ari Coraza some Bajan dance moves during the cultural exchange workshop on September 4. (Photo courtesy Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama)
The roots, rhythms and vibes of Barbados spread across Panama recently as the Embassy of Barbados and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) welcomed the Haynesville Youth Club to Panama City and Colón from September 2 to 7 as part of the Embassy’s “We Gatherin’ 2025” activities.
The youth group kicked off their Panama 2025 tour with a visit to the Embassy of Barbados, where Ambassador Amanda Martinez and Mission staff highlighted the deep historical relationship between Barbados and Panama and underlined the value of cultural diplomacy as a tool in advancing Barbadian foreign policy abroad.
With the steady support of the Embassy of Barbados and the BTMI, the Haynesville Youth Club engaged diverse Panamanian stakeholders and partners, including government agencies, folklore groups, educational institutions, media, and members of the Barbadian and West Indian Afrodescendant communities in Panama, throughout the weeklong tour. Highlights included a cultural exchange with student and staff folklore groups at the Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, a presentation for more than 300 students at the Instituto Episcopal San Cristobal, and a half-day workshop with Colón-based folk group, Fundación Mamá Ari and Afro-contemporary dance group, Coraza from the Universidad de Panamá. The Embassy of Barbados was pleased to collaborate with the United Panamanian Afrodescendants Association (A.A.P.U.) and the National Secretariat for the Development of Afro-Panamanians (SENADAP) on the interactive training session, extending the Mission’s links to two of the agencies serving Panama’s diverse Afro-Caribbean communities.
Donning custom “We Gatherin’” t-shirts, the Haynesville Youth Club travelled north for the unveiling of the BTMI’s newest billboard campaign in Colón on September 6. At the media launch, Ambassador Martinez highlighted the historical ties between Barbados and Colón, a city in which many West Indian workers settled following the construction of the Panama Canal and Railway, and underlined the invaluable contributions of thousands of Barbadians to the development of modern-day Panama and its multicultural society. BTMI Director for Latin America, Corey Garrett, emphasized that “the billboard is more than just a visual display; it is a symbol of connection, shared history, and the ongoing cultural dialogue between our two nations”.
Ambassador Amanda Martinez (far left) joins members of the Haynesville Youth Club and BTMI Business Development Officers, Ashleigh Phillips and Salomon Quijada (both far right), at the unveiling of the new BTMI “We Gatherin’” billboard in Colón. (Photo courtesy Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama)
Following the press launch, the Haynesville Youth Club returned to Panama City for a showcase of Bajan soca at the Soho City Center Caribbean Market, a weekly BTMI promotional activity, where they were joined by a special guest, Grateful Co. Organized by the BTMI, Grateful Co. surprised the young performers and got the local audience up on their feet, delivering an impromptu and energetic performance of some of his biggest hits!
The Haynesville Youth Club’s tour concluded on September 7 with a final show at the Mi Pueblito Tourist Center, where they performed a medley of Bajan calypso and tuk for members of the Barbadian and Caribbean descendant communities. Comprised of 17 representatives, including 10 young performers, the Haynesville Youth Club shared the best of Barbados through its cultural showcase entitled “Art in Motion: Dance, Drumming, and Tradition”. Featuring captivating performances rooted in Caribbean folk forms, Afro-Caribbean dance, and traditional African drumming, highlighted genres included Landship, Paradise (Skirt Dance), Maritime Legacy, Drummology and a Mixed Media Performance fusing dance with theatrical expression.
Ambassador Martinez reflected, “The Embassy of Barbados was delighted to join with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. to support the Haynesville Youth Club’s second official visit to Panama. Under the We Gatherin’ banner, our team organized a full schedule for these talented young artists from St. James – the parish featured this month – allowing the Mission to collaborate with established and new cultural partners, promote Barbados as a premier travel destination, and engage members of our extended Bajan family in Panama. The Embassy hopes that this cultural showcase builds on the success of our past We Gatherin’ events, and encourages Barbadian descendants in Panama, regardless of their generation, to feel more deeply connected and ‘come ‘long home’”.
Author: Public Relations
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/we-gatherin-in-panama-with-the-haynesville-youth-club/
