If weather permits, the streets of Barrio Sur and Palermo will shake again on the first day of the feast of the drum. Everything is ready for the big party that calls for the black race and its history. Today when the first sticks give the key and hit the wooden drum, Candombe will share its celebration for everyone to enjoy. This year is a special celebration after UNESCO declared the Candombe Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Audience is expected to reach approximately 40,000 people today and tomorrow Friday on the streets of Isla de Flores.

A total of 44 troupes will parade. Each can have a maximum of 150 components and 30 people as helpers. To maintain order of the party there will be more than 450 police and 150 officers of the Municipality of Montevideo.

After the announcement of rain for today and Friday, officials of the Administration will decide the eventual suspension of the parade an hour before its start, set for 830pm. The idea of the Administration is taking a journey suspended for the first day off. For example, if suspended on Thursday, it will be moved to Saturday, if suspended Thursday and Friday, it will be moved to Saturday and Sunday.

HISTORY
"Llamadas" are a practice of the nineteenth century: a drum called another and formed an impromptu and spontaneous roar. The contest began in 1956, but before, in the late `40 and early 50's, the germ of the parade call was born. At the time there was a platform every two blocks, the troupes marched playing from a scenario to another.

(www.elpais.com.uy, 4 February 2010)