The UDA paraded in the parades for April Fools' Day

On January 2020, in the traditional April Fools' Day parades, the University of Azuay participated in the XNUMX Masquerade Contest and won third place in the Institutional category. The event was organized by the Amistad Club next to the Municipality of Cuenca, on an allegorical tour that began on Avenida República and Huaynacapac.

The theme for 2020 was `` ABYA-YALA, a Marvelloso world ''. Abya- Yala - in the language of the cradle people - means living land and is synonymous with America. This year the University stood out for highlighting the magic, color and strength of the native peoples of America.  

The UDA opened the parade with a Spanish galleon that seemed to sail through the streets of downtown Cuenca. The ship was led by the conqueror and his European court who were expelled by the Abya-Yala peoples, while in the background "Latin America" ​​from Calle 13 sounded.

Behind the ship was a superhero car headed by the god Quetzalcoalt and the macaws. The University closed the stop with sacred animals led by the magician Cherokee and Janequeo.

Professor Manuela Cordero, coordinator of the Department of Relations with the Collectivity, was in charge of the participation of the University students in the comparsas. The teacher offered an interview to learn more details about the Institution's contribution to the parade.

How was the University of Azuay prepared for Comparsas 2020?

Every year we prepare from October to early November to participate in the Comparsas. The Faculty of Design, Architecture and Art has been participating for more than 18 years. We have won the Golden Mask award 5 times, the last award was last year.

The materials that are used to create the structures are mainly metal for the carpentry of these elements and we cover them with cardboard to later paint and decorate them.

How did the idea of ​​remembering the magic and culture of the American peoples?

The first thing that is done to carry out this process is to think about the subject. We started with meetings between teachers and students to talk about a topic we would like to discuss in the year and then something that could encourage students because without them this would not be possible. They should be encouraged, because they are the raison d'être of the troupe.

What were the steps after choosing the topic?

With the theme decided and in the process of development, Native Americans were then represented in the north of the continent such as Canada, United States, Mexico, among others.

What we did was to choose four iconic villages within a huge group of towns: the Andean or Quechua, the Mapuches that are located in southern Patagonia, the Mayas and the Native Americans. From these groups the different characters and sacred animals are broken down. The Andean peoples Cañaris, represented by the macaw, Incas, goddesses of the sun, devils Humas, among others.

We wanted to represent the mythology of the people. As well as, we gave a different perspective to the story and we wanted to express that the Spanish conquest did not have the success that it had but rather the people took them out with all their strength. For this reason, the ship was first because it symbolizes this expulsion. There was also a centaur that represented the Spaniards as if they had been a single body with the horses since the natives did not know this kind of animal.

How many students participated this year to achieve the parade?

Around 400 people participated in this opportunity, which has been maintained and even increased over the years. This year we had about 500 collaborators because other faculties such as Science and Technology (second consecutive year), Psychology and Initial Education joined.

The dedicated work of many professors who worked very hard on this should be recognized to make this year's event exceptional.