Fiesta latina at the Châtelain

FIESTA LATINA AT THE CHÂTELAIN This Saturday, the district will be flooded with South American rhythms BRUSSELS - The second edition of the Fiesta Latina festival takes place today on the place du Châtelain and throughout the rue du Bailli area. After drawing 10,000 people in 2003, the organisers are expecting 30,000 this weekend. On the programme: a colourful carnival with 200 participants from Brazil, Bolivia and beyond. But also concerts, dancing, South American food and mojitos... The festival opens at 12 noon. The afternoon will be devoted, first, to the carnival: the parade will set off from the rue du Page and reach the place du Châtelain. Each group will then head for the place de la Trinité and come back to the Châtelain to carry on the party. In the evening the audience will elect the King and Queen of the Carnival; it's a tradition! You will also be able to watch salsa demonstrations. Two concerts are also scheduled for the afternoon: Cumbre (Cuba) at 4 pm and Vivencias (Panama) at 6.30 pm. At 9 pm, anyone who wishes can take part in an attempt at the world's largest Rueda. The Rueda is the way salsa is danced on the island of Cuba, that is, in a circle. At 10 pm: concert by Rumbatey and Silvia Abalos. At the end of the festival, at 11.45 pm, the percussion of Brazil's Batucada will ring out over the place du Châtelain. The finale holds a surprise, still a mystery... Isabelle Dykmans Free entrance. Info: www.chatelain.be.