From February 2^nd to the 5^th 2008 we will be celebrating "El Carnaval" in Panama, festivities of King Momo that are celebrated every year for four consecutive days, before Ash Wednesday.  The carnivals in Panama initiate with the presenting of the sovereign queens of the different organized groups or “comparsas” and during the twilight hours on Tuesday mornings with the ritual of the burial of the sardines carnivals in Panama will once again culminate. Get ready for an amazing party!

The most famous celebration of El Carnaval in Panama are the ones celebrated in Las Tablas, El Carnaval in Panama of the Villa de los Santos in the province of Los Santos; El Carnaval in Panama celebrated in Ocu and El Carnaval celebrated in Chitre, province of Herrera; the El Carnaval  of Dolega, in the province of Chiriqui and El Carnaval celebrated in Penonome, province of Coclé.

When talking about El Carnaval in Panama we must mention the celebration in Panama City where organizers have invested millions of dollars in publicity in foreign countries, with the objective of attracting millions of people to El Carnaval.

About the organization of El Carnaval, Orman Innis, the person in charge of public relations and the artistic coordination from 2008, stated that they are working very hard with the travel agencies and the Panamanian Association of Hotels (APATEL), in order for the foreigners to the events held in Panama as an option for entertainment during these days.  He indicated that it is very important to make El Carnaval in Panama a starting point for entertainment in Latin-America.

Getting back to the celebrations within the capital city, Transistmica Highway was once again chosen, located in the center of the metropolitan area for the main parades. Innis reassured the public that this thoroughfare was large enough for the anticipated crowds that would include many specify nationals and foreigners.

It is worth mentioning, that during 2007 El Carnaval in Panama attracted more than half a million tourists thanks to the great luxury, splendor and the security that characterizes the organization of all the celebrations festivities.

About the festivities

El Carnaval begins with the traditional “culecos”, where cistern trucks bathe in hours of the morning the participants with thousands of liters of water.  In the afternoon, parades headed by the sovereign queens of the organized groups or “comparsas”, which display extravagant and luxurious costumes in their floats that run the streets. At night there are popular dances in public sites or avenues and rest is seldom since each day things begin right at dawn. 

Lizeth Diaz was crowned El Carnaval Queen of  2008 in Panama City, while Liz Marielis Rodriguez and Zuyitza Hidalgo will be ambassadors.  Last years queen, Kathia Real, will be involved with the event as well to go along with a who's who of Panamanians who see the celebrations as a chance to mingle with their fellow natives.