PARAMARIBO — Salsuri, Suriname’s largest Latin dance festival that was last held in 2013, is being revived. The tenth edition will be held from October 24 to 27 at Assuria High-Rise Event Center and Royal Breeze Hotel. “The bigi yari will be celebrated in style. The tenth festival will be a colorful experience of Latin music, dance and culture,” predicts Salsuri founder and organizer Mequillo Pang Atjok.
In October, international dance champions, renowned dance instructors and top DJs will be brought to Paramaribo to provide an unforgettable show and dance spectacle during the International Salsa & Bachata Festival. The show nights will be on October 24 and 25 in Assuria High-Rise Event Center, the workshops and bootcamps will take place on October 26 and 27 in River Breeze, where the social evenings will also be held daily.
“Salsuri has proven its strength and success”
Pang Atjok says that for the bigi yari of Salsa Suriname, well-known dance couples and groups from Colombia, England, the United States, French Guyana, Curacao and the Netherlands have been chosen. They will also provide workshops, in which they will share the tricks of Latin American music and dance.
History
Salsuri, an international event, aims to attract tourists to Suriname. Latin lovers from abroad can experience the festival for a special rate and enjoy Surinamese culture and nature.
Pang Atjok started Salsuri in 2005 with the aim of promoting Latin American performing arts in Suriname, linking salsa to the tropical rainforest of Suriname. According to him, the “fascinating ‘Octoberfestival’” grew in popularity and number of visitors over the years.
During Salsuri the audience was richly treated to shows with acrobatic world champions from the US, South America, Europe and Asia. Furthermore there were festive dance evenings with top Latin DJs, light workshops, professional masterclasses and bootcamps and the river cruise.
Pang Atjok believes that the spin-off of the performances combined with workshops was inevitable. “Local dance schools grew and regular dance evenings increased. A vibrant Latin scene arose in the city and district that became known beyond the country’s borders,” he sums up. “Salsuri has proven its strength and success.”
