International Ballet in Corso Parade, Ambato 2009

There isn't much to say about today's marchers except to note how beautiful their traditional clothing is.

Well, maybe I can say something about this guy. I hope he didn't ride on the other person's back for the whole parade route.

This "international ballet" group is from Ambato.

I saw an international ballet group perform at Colegio San Gabriel in Quito and I have never forgotten the performance. This might be the same group I saw. It was more than ten years ago; I can't remember if the dancers at Colegio San Gabriel were from Ambato.

"International ballet" performances in Ecuador are not classical ballet. They are folk dances with elaborate costumes and props. The performance I saw in Quito was spectacular. The group was called "international" because the dancers traveled outside of Ecuador to other countries, as sort of dance ambassadors. Judging from the costumes that the children carrying this banner are wearing, I'm sure that this international ballet group does the same kind of folk dancing that I have seen before. If you get a chance to see an international ballet performance in Ecuador, please go. The dances are polished and beautiful.

A beautiful outfit, of the type that you would see in an "international ballet" performance.

And another.

Come to think of it, the dress that the woman in the first of today's pictures is wearing is also surely a costume that is worn during "international ballet" performances.