THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: In Northern Venezuela, the village of Curiete (ph) celebrates its version of St. John's day, an annual festival which draws from both European and African roots.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: The three-day affair is characterized by lots of intense drumming, singing and dancing. Maria Daniella Zavala of VeneVision takes us to Venezuela for the festivities.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARIA DANIELLA ZAVALA, VENEVISION CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The sound of the drums and the faith gather year after year, hundreds of believers of St. John. During three days, the pray and the celebrations do not stop. People come here to give tribute to the saint of the difficult things and of lost causes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It's St. John the Baptist's birthday celebrations, who came before Jesus Christ to clear the way, the way for peace, love and justice.
ZAVALA: Women wear their best dresses, men prepare their drums for the celebration. These people do not have words to explain how much this religious tradition mean to them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It has a great meaning for me. I means very much to me, in my life, my heart and in my mind. It is a moment of great happiness.
ZAVALA: These people pray, ask for miracles. They sing and also dance in honor to St. John.
This event is also important for children. They want to receive the blessing of the saint.
The age is not a limit to join the party.
Everybody must dance, even St. John is moved by the rhythm of the drums.
These festivities are celebrated in Venezuela since 18th century, a tradition that passes from generation to generation. These people want to maintain alive their religious customs. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We teach the children so the tradition continues to be kept, because we have been losing it. Almost nobody dresses like this anymore.
ZAVALA: By drumming, praying and dancing, a mix of European and African roots, these people pay their promises back and show their gratitude to the saint for the favors of the year.
(on camera): The residents of Curiete (ph) do their best to keep alive forever the celebration of St. John's Day. Year after year, they welcome with open arms to anyone who wants to join the event and experience this tradition.
This is Maria Daniella Zavala of VeneVision from Venezuela for CNN WORLD REPORT.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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