Traders assure that the coronavirus continues to be one of the most sought-after ‘old years’, as well as political figures and the world of entertainment.
Artisans and merchants finalize in Ecuador preparations for the end of the year celebration, in which Ecuadorians often burn puppets to ward off bad omens and thereby yearn for a new year of prosperity and health.
Like last year, the coronavirus returns to the popular scene and he will be one of the protagonists that Ecuadorians incinerate on the night of the 31st, as tradition dictates, although there will be no lack of fictional characters such as Venon, the Marvel villain, or the characters from the series “The Squid Game.”
The best politicized will focus on figures like the president Guillermo Lasso or even the former mayor of the capital Jorge Yunda, judging by the puppets that are sold on the streets.
How is the custom?
Tradition dictates that during December 31st the “Old Year” (the puppet) be placed in a visible place, if possible outside the houses so that can be appreciated for the people.
As the hours go by, family and friends gather around the cardboard or paper figure, to which they usually post messages, to set them on fire Before midnight.
Many of the puppets represent a family anecdote or some relevant event that occurred during the year in the country or in the worldAlthough there are also those who reproduce paintings of famous people and make real works of art on cardboard colored with paint.
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Luis Chiluisa, seller of puppets, assured Efe that this year the coronavirus is still as highly valued as the previous year: “It is like a way of saying that the virus and all the damage it has caused us is over ”.
The tradition of burning the puppets, which represent “the old year”, dates back to the threat of yellow fever in Guayaquil in 1895.
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As a sanitary protection measure, the authorities They then recommended making straw branches and puppets with the dresses of relatives who had died, place them on the public highway on the last day of the year and burn them at zero hours, according to information from the Ministry of Tourism.
The hope was to leave behind everything bad to start a new year full of illusions, although over time the custom has acquired a tone of humor, satire, hubbub and mischief.
Covid-19 in the country
Due to the increase in covid-19 cases in Ecuador, the national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) decided to reduce capacity for the party, as well as prohibit the burning of puppets in mass gatherings or popular dances.
Juan Zapata, president of the COE, clarified that tradition can be fulfilled as long as it is in the family nucleus and in front of the houses, no crowds, which has generated protests from merchants.
“The authorities seem to say to say things and do not think about the damage they do” to the merchants, denounced Elsa Chalá, who sells puppets and masks for more than ten years.
And it is that, due to the restrictions, the traders say they have had to go down at the last minute the production and size of puppets, masks and other accessories used that night.
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“We have the old (puppets) kept all year because it was not sold, and now the same thing again ”, complained Chalá.
The tradition acquires a reflection of the Valencian Fallas in the coastal city of Guayaquil, where works used to stand out several meters high with all kinds of characters, fruit of the work of artisans throughout the year.
Given the restrictions, they have now opted for charge tourists for taking a picture with his favorite doll. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
