The heat of the South sets the Châtelain ablaze

Festival / Fiesta Latina this weekend THE HEAT OF THE SOUTH SETS THE CHÂTELAIN ABLAZE Looking for a little sunshine in this rainy August? Head to Ixelles this Saturday and Sunday for a getaway that will take you from Cuba to the Bahamas, from Venezuela to Mexico by way of Colombia, Honduras and the Panama Canal, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Curaçao, Guyana and Guadeloupe. For its fourth edition, the Fiesta Latina Festival returns this Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August to the place du Châtelain and its surrounding streets. Carl de Moncharline, organiser of the event, and his partner Serge Vanderheyden explain: "For the music, we tried to explore every current in the Latin music universe. There will be traditional artists such as the Cuban Rey Cabrera and the band Tumbao Cubano, but also more contemporary currents. On Saturday night, for instance, Buscemi will bring a more electric sound with revisited Brazilian music, a mix of rap and salsa." This year, two large marquees will be set up. Five restaurants from the rue Américaine will welcome the public under the "Fina Messa" marquee, in a lounge atmosphere with contemporary furniture and a backdrop of electro nuevo bossa nova. Another new feature: the emphasis will be on crafts from the Latin communities of Brussels. The "Mercado Latino" will thus offer sunny food, cocktails, crafts and Latin souvenirs. As in other years, there will also be a salsa contest open to all, as well as a stand with salsa demonstrations and classes. But beyond the festive side, it is above all a neighbourhood that will be in the spotlight. Carl de Moncharline describes the drive of the shopkeepers and other local players: "All the shopkeepers have taken their own initiatives and are offering original activities. It is rare to be able to bring all the shopkeepers together around one project!" S. H. (st.) www.fiestalatina.be