Marinera is a dance of Peru. Marinera is a graceful and romantic couple’s dance that uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance is an elegant and stylized reenactment of a courtship. Traditional accompaniment for the dance is provided by a cajón, guitars and bugles.

History

The exact origin of the dance is unknown, but it is an unmistakable blend of Gypsy (see Roma People), Spanish, African and Andean rythms influences. It is rooted in the Zamacueca or Canto de Jarana of Lima and the Tondero of Piura, as the most immediate precursors to the marinera. Though the marinera dance style had also been around for centuries in Peru, it gained the name “marinera” in honor of the Peruvian Navy or the Marina de Guerra del Peru in 1879 when it entered war with Chile. Prior to the War of the Pacific, it had been called La Chilena, but due to the hostile situation, in a patriotic moment, it was agreed to be renamed.

Today

Different schools and dancing styles of the Marinera exist, based on location. There are Marinera dance academies all over Peru, and competitions are frequently held. The most important competition is the National Competition of the Marinera (Concurso Nacional de Marinera) held during the National Festival of the Marinera (Festival Nacional de Marinera), held in Trujillo, every January.

Original Source : Marinera - Wikipedia 

(LIP-jl) — Standing before an audience made up of Peruvian and Brazilian business representatives, Peruvian President Alan Garcia made a call to members from both groups to strengthen their commercial activities and economic ties so that both countries can aim at entering various Asisan markets.

President Garcia kicked off the Peru-Brazil Business Forum yesterday by stressing the importance that the Asian continent represents for both countries.

“The future belongs to those who can dominate trade with Asia. Because of this, we have begun conversations with the leaders of Chile, Colombia, Panama, and Mexico to build a unified trade front in the Asian-Pacific region,” said Garcia.

Garcia emphasized Brazil’s important role in such a possible organization by highlighting its enormous investment capabilities.

“The timing could not be better for Brazil, a supplier of large scale investments, to ally itself with Peru -a land of great possibilities and opportunities,” Garcia added.

“We now have the opportunity to tap into those vast investment supplies by land, and Brazil has the chance to partner up with a country that can provide stability in future endeavors,” stated the president who referred to the mega-Inter-Oceanic Highway project that will connect South America’s Atlantic coast (Brazil) and Pacific Coast (Peru).

Original Source: Peru’s Garcia calls for strengthened ties with Brazil

Football’s governing body, Fifa, has banned international matches from being played at more than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level.

Fifa said the decision was made because of concerns over players’ health and possible distortion of competition.

The ruling was greeted with dismay in Latin America, notably in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, where games in La Paz are played at 3,600m (11,811ft).

Bolivia’s President, Evo Morales, vowed to lead a campaign against the ban.

Speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting, Mr Morales said the ruling amounted to discrimination.

“This is not only a ban on Bolivia, it’s a ban on the universality of sports,” he told reporters.

To play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair
Sepp Blatter
Fifa president

Mr Morales also said he would send a high-level delegation to Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich and called on other countries to join his campaign.

“We cannot allow discrimination in soccer, we cannot allow… exclusion in the world of sports,” he added.

Many of Bolivia’s major cities, including Sucre and Potosi, are at high altitude.

‘Discrimination’

Local commentators in Peru, which was hoping to stage upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Cuzco at 3,400m (11,154ft), suggested Fifa made the decision after pressure from South America’s two major football powers, Brazil and Argentina.

Both nations have struggled in recent years while playing at altitude, where the thin air hands an advantage to those acclimatised to the conditions.

Playing sport in conditions of high altitude places heavy demands on the body, forcing the heart to work harder.

CITIES AT ALTITUDE
Bolivia: La Paz - 3,600m (11,811ft)
Ecuador: Quito - 2,800m (9,186ft)
Colombia: Bogota: 2640m (8,661ft)

Earlier in 2007, Brazilian club Flamengo said they would not play again at altitude after several of their players needed oxygen during a game against Bolivian team Real Potosi, held at nearly 4,000m (13,120ft).

The ban will also affect Ecuador whose national side has qualified for the last two World Cups, winning through on the basis of strong performances in Quito, at 2,800m.

Mexico City, where the 1970 and 1986 World Cup Final was played, just beats the Fifa limit, having an altitude of 2,240m (7349ft).

Fifa’s president, Sepp Blatter, said the organisation had expected protests from Latin America.

“The executive committee have listened to a proposal from the medical committee and have decided to act because to play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair,” he said.

Original Source: Fifa bans high-altitude football