BRIEFS. National

Parades mark panama’s independence

la prensa

marching along: Parades were held in Panama City yesterday to mark the country’s independence from Colombia.1113411

Parades took place on Vía España and Calle 50 yesterday for several hours yesterday as Panamanians celebrated 105 years of independence from Colombia.

The sidewalks started getting crowded very early in the morning, as people showed up to secure a prime seat for viewing the floats, bands and marchers.

Young people from more than 50 schools marched in the parades, as did a number of troupes who wore traditional clothes and performed dances that trace their roots back to before Panama was an independent entity.

President Martín Torrijos, with the first lady by his side, took in the spectacle from a prime spot on the viewing stand, and singer Margarita Henriquez, the newly-crowned Latin American Idol, carried the national flag.

Today is flag day, and many offices will be closed, as well as all public schools and government offices. Wednesday is also a holiday, in which many of the nationalistic festivities are held in Colón. Panama's holiday season continues next Monday, which marks Panama's independence from Spain.