The decision that Casco Viejo will be included in the capital's Carnival celebrations has sent shock waves through residents and businesses in the historic neighborhood.

 Representatives of the businesses and community associations of the Old Town of Panama expressed their concern about the improvisation of the measure, the lack of consultation and the lack of information and clarity about what Carnival activities are planned with less than three weeks before the start of the revelry.

Although not everyone is opposed to some cultural events being held, they believe that information should be given in advance, planning and solving the problems that the neighborhood already suffers from, such as poor circulation lack of parking, poor garbage management, excesses of noise from the local bars, which, added to the absence of public bathrooms to serve so many people, portends a bad outcome.

Chris Lenz, investor and founder of Hotel La Compañía in Casco said they were surprised to learn from the media that carnival activities would be held in the area.

“I'm sure that hotels in Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans don't find out about their Carnival/Mardi Gras through the newspaper. The main associations in Casco found out about this through the media.”

“Are we for or against? It's impossible to answer as we have absolutely no idea what is planned and this is the frustrating part. As contributors to tourism and development in Casco, we should have a voice in the events, but we only know what the public knows, this is not acceptable.”

Unknowns such as where the activities will be, which streets will be open and which will not if there will be bathrooms for people or how many people they hope to attract.

Lenz maintained that in the last 5 years, they have not seen any interaction from the Government, not a single program to help improve the situation in the Casco.

He added that proposing a proposal of the caliber of carnival activities deserves timely analysis and planning. “If currently, the issue of garbage management is still a challenge, during Carnival times the problem can be accentuated

The businessman said that they are concerned about safety, the poor condition of the roads, and that the town does not have public bathrooms, nor is there a tourist information center. “The only thing the government does is make parking available for personal use and abuse public space. We don't even have regular garbage collection and the Government abuses its privileges in this regard.”

“You should deal with the fundamental issues here first, before throwing a pre-election party. Events in Casco are more than welcome, with proper planning and consultation”.

“Lack of information generates n rates not only concern but also doubts,” said Lorenzo Robles, general manager of the Tántalo group.

He specified that he is not opposed to activities being integrated into the Old Town with events such as carnivals, but that during three government administrations, they have tried to find a way to manage the carnivals appropriately because each season when the coastal strip is blocked, those who suffer the most are businesses and residents of the area and there is no planning.

”It is not that we are opposed, but that we are concerned about how it will be done. In recent months we have detected a setback in terms of security and organization in the town, and the “bien cuidaos” are gradually returning, in addition the bollards that were installed to prevent cars from parking have been demolished and there is illegal and messy parking”

LATE ANNOUNCEMENT 

On Friday, January 19, the Carnival Board announced that they would share the activities between the coastal strip and the Old Town. Leaving the traditional fiesta and culecos for the coastal strip, while in Casco there would be evening cultural activities to relive the carnival of yesteryear.

"The emblematic coastal strip will be the main stage of this vibrant celebration, which is expected to be a legacy to found a renowned tourism product, highlighting the richness of our culture and history in the eyes of an international public, together with the rescue of the carnival of yesteryear in the Old Town, highlighting our culture and traditions,” said a release from the organizers.

It was not until Monday, January 22, that the representatives of the merchants and residents learned from representatives of the Panama Tourism Authority the tentative agenda of the carnival activities that will be carried out in Casco.

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