The Latin American Ethnobotanical Garden was the site of several exciting events during its first year of existence. Foremost among these was the Opening Ceremony for the garden. The university community was invited to participate in a first planting ceremeony honoring Dr. Eugene P. Odum as well as a book signing of Dr. Odum and Dr. Fausto O. Sarmiento's book Ecologîa: El Puente Entre Ciencia y Sociedad, on October 12, 1998. Andean folk music was performed by Groupo Cultura, a Bolivian folk dance was performed, and traditional Peruvian food was provided by Caliente Cab restaurant, of Athens.
In the spring, three events were planned in the garden to provide entertainment for the university community, as well as to introduce the Ethnobotanical Garden as a welcoming green space on campus known for hosting cultural events with a Latin American flair.
On April 30, 1999, the Latin American Ethnobotanical Garden, in conjunction with the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, hosted an installment entitled "Sculpture in the Garden," displaying the works of Rosibel U. Garcîa. The works on display included: "Back to the Memories," "Niñez Felice," and "Unforgettable Day." Ms. Garcîa is a young Venezuelan artist and a member of the Oklahoma Sculpture Society and the National Sculpture Society, USA. She brings the beauty and inspiration of her native state of Zulia and the warmth of Maracaibo into the faces of Latin American children and women in her work.
In the first week of May, the Garden also hosted the musical group, "La Tuna Ateniense Iberoamericana." This group, comprised of people from the university community, began in the Department of Romance Languages at the University of Georgia. La Tuna is a musical tradition in the Spanish speaking world for university students. The instruments traditionally used include guitars, bandurrias, laudes, or cautros, as well as percussion instruments such as maracas and güiros. Their repertoire includes traditional songs, often songs of romance and love. La Tuna Ateniense Iberoamericana played to a large enthusiastic audience, despite the rainy weather.
To celebrate the Cinco de Mayo holiday, the Garden sponsored a Mariachi Band from the Atlanta area to play traditional songs. This too was a success, and many people stopped by the garden to hear the Mariachis. Spring rains finally drove all the celebrants inside, but the music was continued on inside nearby Baldwin Hall.
The Latin American Ethnobotanical Garden will be hosting many more cultural events that celebrate Latin America for the benefit of the local community. Our goal is to promote awareness and appreciation of Latin American cultures in a unique, outdoor forum.
