April 3rd, 2006
By Robert Terenzi, Jr.
The FSLN, Nicaragua’s revolutionary political party, also known as the Sandinistas, has been labelled everything from terrorists to fascists by the U.S. government. However, at a recent rally, held on April 3, 2006, the FSLN looked like anything but something to be scared of. Eyeing a return to power in the upcoming presidential election, the rally was a chance to remember those had fallen during the revolution in the seventies and look ahead to the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Every year on April 3rd, the barrio of Ermite Dolores gathers to honor Amanda Luis Espinoza and Enrique Lorente, two of the first casualties of the Sandinista revolution. Killed in 1970, this year marked the thirty-sixth anniversary of their stature as martyrs and the entire neighborhood came alive to commemorate their heroic sacrifice. The event honored not only their individual contribution to the revolution, but celebrated the camaraderie between the men and women of the movement.
The prep work started weeks in advance as dedicated members of the Ermite Dolores chapter of FSLN repainted and rebuilt the monuments, cleaned the street, prepared food, and advertised the event throughout León. On April 3rd, at five in the morning, a cannon shot off thirty-six mortars to announce the anniversary and beginning of the celebration.
I arrived at seven and was quickly integrated into the group that prepared the food. Even this early in the morning, there was an intangible feeling of excitement and buzz in the air. Everyone was laughing, revolutionary music was blaring out of three gigantic speakers, and the street was decked out in black and red, the colors of the Sandinista flag. The women taught me how to properly mix the rice with the chicken and vegetables, as we prepared hundreds of servings of arroz relleno, a tasty dish consisting of chicken, carrots, raisins, pepper, and rice.
The children began arriving at around eleven and did not stop coming until three, when we had finally distributed all of the food that we had prepared. All told, we served close to one thousand kids a free meal. It was a spectacular site to see eager children approach the overflowing pots of rice and leave with a full stomach and happy heart.
As night fell, a series of folk dances commenced on the central stage, with talented dancers of all ages performing for the community. Some came elaborately decked out in yellow and white traditional dresses, other in jeans and t-shirts, but all came with the intention of celebrating their heritage, culture, and shared past.
After the artistry, there were political speeches, each candidate telling the audience that they had a chance to take back their destiny and shape the future in a positive way by voting. Regardless of the out come of the election, the day of April third was a day I will never forget. There was a sense of timelessness, of shared destiny, of community that is almost indescribable. We celebrated the past by remembering in solemnity the sacrifices made by countless revolutionary soldiers, embodied in the statues of Amanda Luis and Enrique. We embraced the present, by laughing, telling stories, and singing along to the patriotic music that played without pause all day. And, perhaps most importantly, we played apart in the future of the community by sharing food with the young and promising to raise our voices in support of those who offer the best chance for progress. No, these were no terrorists, these were hopeful, happy, and strong people, dedicated to a more equal and beautiful future.