City opens spaces for informal street vendors; Kittens and puppies rescued from Feria Libre; El Niño Viajero exhibition at Pumapungo; Ballet at Casa de la Cultura

Jueves, 12/12/2024

Hola, Todos –

Actividades –

Exposición en Pumapungo (Exhibition in Pumapungo) – The exhibit, “El Pase del Niño Viajero: la tradición de las mantenedoras” (El Pase del Niño Viajero: the tradition of the maintainers) will be at the Museo Pumpapungo el viernes, 13/12 a las 19:00. The event seeks to highlight the legacy of women in one of the most representative fiestas of Cuenca. The exhibit will contribute to the recognition of the women who have preserved this ritual, creating a platform where their labor can be seen and valued from an artistic perspective. <I hope they bring that rainbow of costumes that El NIño has worn over the years.>

Ecuador-born artist María Verónica León exhibits her work at the Galería OFF de Arte Contemporáneo. After assisting Oswaldo Guayasamín with the murals in the Capilla del Hombre in the 1990s, she moved to Paris and currently lives in Dubai. (El Mercurio)

Noche de comedia (Comedy night) – The stand-up comedy show, “En el Humor y la Guerra” (On Humor and War) with Eli Muñoz y Juanjo Bermeo, will be in the Sala “Alfonso Carrasco” in the Casa de la Cultura el viernes, 13/12 a las 20:00. The show covers current themes and daily situations in a unique style with a touch of irony. Make reservations by calling 096 154 1189. Cost: $10:00.

Aniversario de Ballet (Anniversary of Ballet) – The Ballet Andino Causanacunchic, a traditional dance group, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an event for the whole community el sábado, 14/12 a las 19:00 in the Teatro of the Casa de la Cultura (Luis Cordero 7-22). “Raices que Viven” (Living Roots) will be a night of dance, tradition, and emotion with a selection of dances that reflect the cultural richness. Cost: $7.00.

María Verónica León trae su “arte contemporáneo” (María Verónica León brings her “contemporary art”) – Artist María Verónica León will come to Cuenca to present her work in the first edition of the MicrOFFeria at the Galería OFF de Arte Contemporáneo. León said that this is the first time she has shown her work in Cuenca after a long international career. She finished her studies in Quito and collaborated with Oswaldo Guayasamín on the murals in the Capilla del Hombre. In 1995 she moved to Paris where she became the first woman Ecuadorian contemporary artist to exhibit in the Museo Petit Palais. She now lives in Dubai.

In 2007 she represented Ecuador in the Bienal de Venecia (Venice). Her work, especially at the beginning, was marked by strong criticism by the conservative and macho structures in the society. In Quito, her compositions were focused on feminine sensuality and sexuality, exploring a freer, safer and detached woman. Later she changed her focus, working with engraving, drawing, painting and video art. There will be 50 artists showing in the MicrOFFeria until el 31/12. The gallery is open from martes a viernes from 10-19:00 and sábados from 10-14:00.

Titular –

Crueldad animal (Animal cruelty) – At least 30 puppies and kittens were found in plastic baskets and cardboard boxes, covered with bags, and piled on top of each other during an operation at the Feria Libre which was conducted after a complaint. This was evidence showing that companion animals were still being sold in spite of an 2016 ordinance prohibiting this. The operation gathered representatives from the Comisión de Gestión Ambiental (CGA – Environmental Management Commission), Dirección de Mercados (Markets Department), Guardia Ciudadana, and others who were surprised at the discovery since they thought pet sales had been stopped. The sellers left the area and were not identified. The animalitos <Even the newspaper adds the diminutive “ito” to words so it must not just be for informal conversation.> were taken to the checkpoint of the Guardia Ciudadana at the Feria Libre and then to the Hospital Municipal de la Mascota for evaluation and treatment before being placed for adoption.

Marcelo Cordero, an employee of the CGA and activist, said authorities only acted because of the complaint about animal mistreatment on social networks. For him, there are “mafias” that manage these activities and after the publication of the ordinance, they stopped before resuming illegal sales of animals. In answer, the CGA said that so far this year, it has recovered about 200 pets from the Feria Libre. It conducts operations every week with the Guardia Ciudadana. Carlos Orellana, dierector of the CGA, said that they have not been able to definitively eradicate the sales of companion animals at the Feria Libre. But they have talked to the Dirección de Mercados for the people who work in El Arenal to comply with the permits they were given.

Actualidad –

De El Mercurio del miércoles, 11/12 (1 article):
3 plataformas para 450 vendedores autónomos (3 platforms for 450 self-employed vendors) – Ambulant venders will have 3 platforms so they can stop selling in the streets. The streets around the 9 de Octubre are chaotic due to the sales of products of all types. The first 2 platforms at 9 de Octubre have been built on calle Antonio Valdivieso at an approximate cost of $317,000, and can take 400 venders on a rotating basis. What’s lacking is the management model and how to assign spaces. Diego Cedillo, director of the Municipal Markets, said that the model will be ready this week in order to organize assignment of the spaces. Under consideration is starting with the oldest vendors who are on a previous census and that moving vendors will be done this coming enero. Venders are asking for more information about what is happening with the project since they are afraid that the assignment of stalls won’t be done in a transparent manner. <The old get a stall (contract, job, spot at Yale) depending on who you know system.>

The 3d platform in El Cebollar, costing about $415,000, has been finished for 3 weeks with a dual use after agreements were reached between the City and neighbors. It will serve as a type of market on weekends with 50 venders and for recreational activities of all types on the other days. The project might also include the remodeling and enlargement of the existing communal house. (community center) All of the work should be done in 3 months.

Cuenca –

Inspección y retiro de infactores (Inspection and removal of offenders) – Marisol Peñaloza, vice-mayor of Cuenca, said that there should be a permanent inspector for controls at the Feria Libre and removal of merchants who are caught selling dogs and/or cats. <I guess live cuy are OK since they’re considered groceries.> She said the new ordinance for mercados should come to the Cantonal Council for discussion quickly. An article about removing the sales space from whoever commits this crime and an exemplary fine should be considered. The current ordinance has been in effect since 1991 and does not address these cases.

And that’s all for today so hasta ? –

Jeanne