Viviana Varela was born in Quito and is a choreographer, dancer and cultural manager. She completed her higher studies at UTPL, where she obtained a degree in basic education. Her cultural knowledge was strengthened during her experiences in the Casa de la Cultura de Quito, Agrupación Cultural Libertad Andina de Cotopaxi, Agrupación Cultural Cultural Foundation Humanizarte in Quito and Fundación Casa de la Danza in Guayaquil, among others.
She arrived in Galapagos in 1989 and began her work to protect culture on the islands, first in San Cristobal and then in Santa Cruz, establishing CENDA as an independent training centre in 1994. She works to empower artists and build the artistic capacities of young people and has been recognised numerous times for her contribution to culture, at the cantonal, provincial and national level.
Through her work, she has instilled a love of arts and culture into hundreds of people on the islands and seen first-hand the enormous benefit of working with children, adolescents and young adults, and how this directly influences wider society. Based on her many years of experience, she designed this project to scale up the reach and influence of CENDA in Galapagos.
“Dance can be a catalyst for social transformation, supporting human beings to build and maintain their cultural identity.”
You can donate to this project through any of our three partners. If you would like to talk to us directly, and/or speak with the project leader, please contact us at info@co-galapagos.org.
Galapagos presents a cultural diversity with varied histories and traditions, where people from different places come to share this space with unique biodiversity. As a young community, Galapagueños are still building their identity. CENDA seek to promote cultural diversity and acceptance, and a sense of stewardship of the environment and community, through activities related to art and dance, particularly traditional forms. They believe in sharing knowledge, conscience and spirit with children, adolescents and young people.
However, most people on the islands cannot afford to pay for any extra curricular activities for children or adolescents. With the support of parents, CENDA have made many efforts to cover the needs of the children and young people who wish to participate, including providing costumes and spaces to practice, but each time it is more difficult, and it is not possible for them to cover the needs of all the groups. However, with a growing population and increasing access of teenagers on the islands to drugs and alcohol, it is vital that their work in Galapagos continue.
Viviana wishes to organise and run a project called Danzareco, which will involve four integral and continuous workshops, each running for three months. These workshops will train and educate young people, benefitting the individuals and promoting social growth. The workshops will be run in Santa Cruz and focus on performing arts in four themes: visual, literary, musical and audio-visual. Through this work, CENDA will aid young Galapagueños in building their own identity and protecting their cultural heritage. They will also be able to raise awareness of their work and use the outputs of the workshops to leverage longer-term funding.
- To offer spaces for relaxation, healthy fun, sport, inclusion and socialisation, all important elements for development of young people
- To strengthen the idea of cultural identity within society and promote the importance of learning creative skills
- To strengthen the teaching-learning process, and the impact, of CENDA, using different artistic disciplines as cross-cutting themes
- To encourage and train parents within the workshops, so that they too can make a positive contribution to the children and adolescents who take part in the activities
- 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol: Through cultural activities and workshops, more children and young people will be encouraged to spend their free time in healthy and productive activities, which motivates them to stay away from harmful activities such as alcohol and drug use
- 4.7 Ensure that all students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development through education, contextualized to Galápagos, for sustainable development and lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and the contribution of culture to sustainable development: Through theoretical and practical workshops, and through art and music, CENDA will strengthen knowledge and motivation for rights, peace and cultural inclusion
- 8.9 Develop and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products: Weekly traditional dance and music performances will be provided for tourists, as well as the community, increasing their understanding and care of our culture
- 11.4 Strengthen and promote efforts to protect and safeguard the cultural and natural heritage of Galápagos: Through workshops and artistic activities, participants will learn more about the environment, creating ownership and protection of cultural and natural heritage
- 16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against, and torture of, children: CENDA cultivates its own community, looking out for each member. In this way they are able to support children who may be suffering
Phase | Activity | Buget |
---|---|---|
Stage 1 Performing and Musical Arts | Development of workshops with boys and girls; community event organization | $2500 FINANCED (MATCHED) |
Stage 2 Performing and Plastic Arts | Development of workshops with boys and girls; community event organization | $2500 Require Funding |
Stage 3 Performing and Literary Arts | Development of workshops with boys and girls; community event organization | $2500 Require Funding |
Stage 4 Performing Arts and Audiovisual | Development of workshops with boys and girls; community event organization | $2500 Require Funding |