Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny and the Good Bunny Foundation opened this Friday an immersive experience with elements of Puerto Rican Christmas culture, traditional music and artistic activities for children in San Juan, as part of the ‘Bonita Tradición’ initiative.
“For me, Puerto Rican Christmas traditions have always been a reminder of who we are as a people: united, joyful and full of culture,” said Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Bad Bunny’s given name, in a written statement.
The singer explained that “Bonita Tradición this year was born from the desire to create a space where families can share, learn and feel proud of our roots”.
“Every area, every detail and every experience was designed for today’s children and youth to grow up connected to what makes our island so special. Puerto Rico deserves to be celebrated, and this is a way to give back a little of the love my people have always given me,” he added.
Illustrations of typical Puerto Rican stringed and percussion instruments such as the Puerto Rican cuatro and congas welcome visitors to this space, located in the Plaza Las Americas shopping mall.
The place, which will be open until January 5, has several interactive rooms with paintbrushes hanging from the ceiling, telephones to talk to the Three Wise Men and tables to draw, among other objects.
“This year we wanted to bring a different and interactive concept so that the whole family could participate and take a tour of our culture. From what is music and art also and expose that and that children take that tradition home, “explained to EFE Camila Vega, development coordinator of the Good Bunny Foundation.
“The event has been transforming over the last few years. We wanted to make this interactive and the other part of delivering gifts to the most needy homes and children,” Vega specified, adding that, as in other years, they will deliver guitars, bats, gloves, paintbrushes, books, etc.
Ilaisa Ramos, one of the employees of the activity, indicated that the drawings hanging on the walls were painted by the young people who attended the foundation’s ‘Un Verano Contigo’ camp in the summer of this year.
Another of the workers at this event is Alondra Nicole, 19, who says that in Puerto Rico Christmas is celebrated for several months and is a very important time for everyone.
“There are several activities with little tables where the children can sit and paint the little boxes and take them to the Three Wise Men. We also have three telephones around here that have Balthasar, Gaspar and Melchior and they can talk to them,” says the young woman.
The Good Bunny Foundation was created in 2018 with the purpose of supporting children and youth with limited resources in Puerto Rico, providing them with opportunities to develop in music, arts and sports.
Since then, she has remained committed to managing proposals to address the aspirations of hundreds of participants through efforts that include the ‘Un Verano Contigo’ camp and other educational programs, sports clinics, the delivery of ‘Bonita Tradición’ gifts and more, reported Agencia EFE.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.