Taboga Festival of the Sea- The timing is right

By Dra Lourdes Quijada

Taboga, the Island of Flowers  is aiming to put itself firmly back on the tourism map, and the timing couldn’t be better.

With  Panama still basking in the warmth of a New York Times listing as the number one place to visit this year, the  island with  a heritage of slaves, conquistadors pirates and artists with names like Balboa, Morgan and Hawkins entwined in its history is perfectly poised to attract visitors.

It’s only an hour away by ferry from Amador, less if you take the fast launch from the Balboa Yacht Club.

Under the guidance of  musical producer and artist Alejandro Lagrotta Taboga is launching  the Festival of the Sea, the first event of a “beach fun”  year with a weekend full of cultural activities, sports, games and competitions under the banner "Discover something new in Taboga."

The  Festival of the Sea will take place on January 27-29, with around 10,000 people expected to enjoy the three days of festivities designed for families and people of all ages.

A range of recreational activities is planned for the daylight hours but the party will become more vibrant and lively with evening events targeting an adult audience.  The  event is expected to become the biggest party the island has known, even including the days of the pillaging buccaneers. And yes buried gold has been found there but this time around you will find your treasures on the streets filled with stalls offering crafts, gifts and local cuisine.
Lagrotta has devised a music program,  committed to making an unprecedented celebration to benefit both local inhabitants  and visitors. Says the maestro:  “Taboga, island of flowers, you are my inspiration."
 The festival is being organized by the Taboga Island Foundation, founded several years ago to support the Taboga Island and its people, and to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development through improved resource management and the quality of life of its citizens. 

The festival this year  will be a charitable venture to raise funds to improve  dental health among the islanders.

The organizers aim to make the festival an annual event that can become a platform to promote and develop tourism in the country internationally. The timing is certainly right.