Independence Week events
THE COMING days will be marked by ceremonies and parades as Panama celebrates what has become Independence Week when thousands exit the country as businesses and government offices close for at least three days.
All Souls Day, starts with a pilgrimage to the Amador cemetery, where at 7.30 am President Juan Carlos Varela will place wreaths at the mausoleum of Manuel Amador Guerrero, first president of the Republic, and the Mausoleum of Soldiers of Independence.
Varela will be accompanied by Panama’s mayor , Jose Isabel Blandon, and Ricardo Dominguez, president of the Municipal Council.
At 6:00 pm a torchlight parade, of members of security bodies will set out from Parque Urraca (opposite the Miramar Intercontinental Hotel) and march to the Presidential Palace in Casco Viejo.
No liquor is on sale on All Souls Day.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3
The day marks 112 years of Panama’s separation from Colombia. The festivities start at the Presidential Palace 4:30 am with the traditional playing of reveille at the Presidential Palace.
At 7:00 am President Varela will attend the raising of the national which carried during the patriotic parade by, Jerusalen Smith the 24-years-old Guna doctor who recently graduated top of her class at The Panama University Medical School.
The patriotic parades start at 9am
One will start from Simon Bolivar Park in Casco Viejo to the Assa Theater on Avenida Balboa
The other will set out from near MultiCentro on Balboa to the offices of the Ministry of Public Works, in the Cinta Costera.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4
The Patriotic Parades will start at 8 am, with participants from the previous day switching routes.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5
Ceremonies begin at 7 am in Colon with the hoisting of the national flag by the President.
The parade begins at 9:00 am.