The MassKara Festival in Bacolod is not only a local spectacle but a global sensation as its street dance performers gear up to showcase their colorful artistry in various festivals worldwide in 2024. Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez proudly announced that the dancers from Barangay Granada, the reigning street dance champions, and Barangay Sum-ag, one of the runners-up, have received invitations to perform in Hong Kong and Taiwan in February.
The cultural exchange continues as both Hong Kong and Taiwan celebrate lantern festivals and other grand festivities during the same month, creating a harmonious convergence of diverse traditions.
Mayor Benitez shared, "Other countries also communicate with us. They would like to bring the MassKara dancers there. Slowly, we are now becoming worldwide." The city's dancers are set to make a mark in Italy during the Independence Day celebration in June, responding to an invitation to perform for the Filipino community.
This international journey follows the success of the MassKara Festival dancers from Barangay Granada, who mesmerized the audience in New York during the 125th Philippine Independence Anniversary Commemoration Parade on Madison Avenue last June. Similarly, the dancers from Barangay Sum-ag showcased their talents at the 2023 Busan International Dance Festival in South Korea.
Post the October MassKara Festival, Mayor Benitez revealed a surge in inquiries from various foreign embassies expressing interest in participating in future celebrations. Additionally, invitations for MassKara dancers to take part in cultural events abroad poured in from places as diverse as Milan, Canada, and beyond.
The festival's global reach is set to expand further, with a television network planning to broadcast the MassKara Festival to audiences in other countries next year. The MassKara Festival, known for its exuberant energy and vibrant displays, has transcended its local roots to become a symbol of unity, joy, and cultural pride, captivating audiences around the world and showcasing the Philippines' rich heritage through the universal language of dance and celebration.
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