There is a sense of pride as Panamanians see what is being achieved in positioning Panama as a destination for religious tourism. First, it is the opportunity to celebrate faith and recognize and remember the sacrifice of Jesus for each of us. Many are young people who were not born in a church and are getting to know the gospel through theater.
As it has been throughout Holy Week, the Casco Antiguo of Panama City gathered thousands of Panamanians and tourists who came to the pilgrimage that passes through more than a dozen churches to relive Christ's path to Calvary.
Located in the San Felipe district, the Casco Antiguo was declared a Monumental Complex of Panama in 1976 and a World Heritage Site in 1997. Since then, it has attracted the interest of both Panamanians and tourists. According to projections from the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), over 300,000 nationals and foreigners are expected to visit during this Holy Week.
"My personal goal is always to seek God's forgiveness, because let us remember that Jesus died for our sins," said Luis Campos to EFE. He played the role of Pontius Pilate in the live dramatization of the Passion of Christ, staged on the grounds of the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Panama Viejo by the Theater and Culture Pastoral 'Friends of Jesus'.
With over 25 years of belonging to the theater pastoral, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, this is the first year Campos has played Pontius Pilato. He describes the character as "very strong" to portray, as his authority came from politics "not to exercise his dominion, but rather because politics was what kept him in his position," he stated.
In the dramatization, which ended under intense rain, 70 young people from Panama Viejo participated. This is a community with high levels of violence, as well as problems related to drugs and other criminal activities. The blows and all the abuse Christ received on his way to Calvary, carrying the cross on his shoulders, as well as his last words before being crucified, were recreated by the group of young actors, capturing the attention of more than 200 people who attended the performance.
Campos acknowledges how "difficult" it is to maintain the interest of the young people in that area to "want to join year after year" the theater pastoral and thus participate in these representations.
"The complicated part, he points out, is to get them 'to stay under a parish because they are young, many are from at-risk social groups. I think it is a moment of joy, encounter, reflection and deep faith,' said Aimee Sentman to EFE, dressed in a black veil, prior to the start of the procession.
