While most Latin American countries celebrate their independence in September, the South American nations of Venezuela, Colombia and Peru do so in July.
The 193rd anniversary of Peru’s independence was celebrated in San Francisco July 26 via a fascinating ceremony at the Mission Dolores Basilica.
General Consul of Peru Candy Gonzalez Chavez, in the presence of her Colombian and Venezuelan counterparts, choked back her emotion and said, “[I] feel proud of our roots, culture and identity.”
In addition to the traditional flower wreath adorned on Simon Bolivar’s equestrian statue by San Francisco’s main library, and the raising of a flag at City Hall, this year was the first time that a “Creole Mass” was hosted as a way of giving thanks.
A Creole Mass is a musical work of art of the religious and folk variety. They were introduced in the 1960s, a period in which the Catholic Church relaxed its tradition and stopped demanding that masses be exclusively conducted in Latin.
“What better way than to celebrate with a Creole Mass, one conducted by our own Chabuca Granda,” the consul said, referring to her country’s diverse Mestizo population, and to the Peruvian singer who waltzed to Creole and Afro-Peruvian rhythms.
Chabuca Granda, a Peruvian singer and composer, composed “Creole Mass” for her daughter’s wedding in 1969. It includes a collection of songs with coastal rhythms and traditional dances such as “Zaña,” “zamacueca,” “marinera limeña,” “festejo,” “danza limeña,” “vals criollo,” “triste” and “tondero.”
The event was organized by San Francisco’s General Consulate of Peru and two religious brotherhoods: the Lord of Miracles and St. Martin de Porres. The Rev. Arturo Albano gave the lecture and led the singing of the Peña Community Chorus of Berkeley.
A number of musicians contributed to the splendid musical performance. Daniel Zamalloa played guitar; Braulio Barrera and Peta Robles played on the “cajón,” a Peruvian percussion instrument that Spanish flamenco borrowed; Carlos Britto on bass; and Jan Thyer conducted the choir.
More than 20 choir members highlighted the strong voices of soloists Marina Lavalle, Braulio Rosa Los Santos and Barrera, who provided the most emotional moments the ceremony for those present.
“It’s been more than three months of rehearsals…we have the best soloists,” said Zamalloa, who was in charge of the musical direction. “People were excited to hear Peruvian music.”
Giovanna Aliaga, a Peruvian, and Isidro Ramirez, a Mexican, came from San Mateo to attend the celebration.
“It’s our first time here in the Basilica of Mission Dolores,” said the young couple. “Mass with guitar and the cajón is very different; [it] makes you come alive.”
Peru won its independence on July 28, 1821 by the hand of General Jose de San Martin, who had become hardened by numerous years of struggling for the liberation of Argentina and Chile from Spanish rule. San Martin ended his liberating journey the following year, after meeting with Simon Bolivar in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and yielding his troops.
The Peruvian consul Chavez thanked Father Albano for opening the doors “of the beautiful basilica, which houses San Martin de Porres and the ‘Cristo Moreno,’ which are so important for us.”
“After many years of bad news, Peru is now a country reborn,” said Chavez. “Happy July 28 and long live Peru!”