Arenas y Esteras was founded by immigrants from the Andes in reaction to the brutal murder in 1992 of Maria Elena Moyano, a community organizer and activist who was assassinated by the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) insurgent movement. Although only one of many atrocities committed during the most violent period of Peru's modern history, her death resulted in a public outcry and she has become and icon and symbol of community activism and hope (see Maria Elena and Villa photos on this blog and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Elena_Moyano for more information). The founders of 'Arenas' wanted to honor her memory by finding a non-violent, community-oriented from of protest. They found it through theater, dance, music and performances.

Arena means sand, and refers to the sand dunes upon which Villa is built. Esteras are the grass mats which Villa's original inhabitants used to make their houses from (see Maria Elena and Villa photos).

Today Arena y Esteras aims to 'create socially and ethically conscious art for the promotion of identity and human rights, and to build a community where everyone can live with dignity, respect, and have social responsibility.' They provide free workshops, put on circus, theater and dance performances all over the neighborhood, throughout Peru and also every year on tour in Europe. The group works closely with the schools, providing theater classes to the districts school children at school.

I live in the house across the street from the theater. It is an absolutely wonderful experience! To only have to cross the street to enter an oasis of creativity, dance, music and theater! There is always something going on. A dance workshop, someone rehearsing a scene or having a private circus lesson. This week two instructors from Chile are giving free contemporary dance lessons and children and youth from around the neighborhood have been attending. See the 'Tree, Rembrandt Painting, Lion' photos! I can honestly say that I am experiencing more cultural and artistic creativity here in a day than in a whole month at home!

a. xx.