Karen, Elvia’s daughter, turned 15 last week. Her quinceañera was last night.
Everything up through dinner was as expected, but the “dancing” begins with an hour long ritual that includes dance, performance, fireworks (inside) and showers of confetti all of which acknowledge moving out of childhood and becoming a woman.
She receives her last doll, a tiara, her first high heels and acknowledgement from her entire family and extended network of friends. All of this is enacted out in a series of practiced acts where her chambelanes carry her on their shoulders, dance with her one by one while she pushes them away, each for the next. It’s traditional and modern mixed with the essence of a fairy tale, an elaborate, moving and sometimes funny ritual to end childhood.
Video coming soon.