The XII Fair of the Holy Spirit Flower was seen as natural, indigenous and folkloric. It ended yesterday in the town of Las Minas, in the province of Herrera, with an ox-drawn wagon parade created by Mrs. Doris Díaz.
Members of the local Association of Orchidologists, along with the fair board president, Eduardo Franco, expressed their satisfaction with the way the event was well-received. "Many townspeople and visitors came to see, many who were eager to cultivate the plant that gives us this beautiful flower. We filled their expectations," explained Franco. The objective of this fair is to promote the highland products of Las Minas, and to exalt and preserve the Holy Spirit flower, which grows in the wild in that region.
During the three days of event, singing, la saloma, la décima and folkloric activities were the attractions. What took center-stage at the fair, though, was the exhibition of the dove formed by orchid petals.
Daysi Peña, a member of the fair board, said that the main attraction is the orchid show, with flowers that come from different regions, such as Chitré, Volcán, El Valle and Santa Fe de Veraguas.
She further explained that the work the town of Las Minas has is difficult, given that the budget for this fair is $18,000 to $22,000, and as of four years ago they are only granted $2,000, which this year was increased to $3,500.
The local elementary school was chosen by orchidologists as the place to mount their exhibitions, as they needed space for exhibitors from various regions of the country, such as El Valle de Anton and Santa Fe de Veraguas, where the flower is also cultivated.
It is noteworthy that, besides other orchidologists, tourists from different areas of the country and abroad come together in Las Minas for this fair, captivated by the beauty of this flower.
Most people are attracted by the mystery that is wrapped in the folds of the petals, which takes the form of a white dove. In order to grow one of their own in their gardens, many visitors take a seedling of this delicate orchid, which blooms but once a year, around September and October.
