Lajes Field member immerses in Azorean culture

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Tobias
  • 65th ABW Public Affairs
Fontinhas, Terceira, Azores, Portugal --  Laughter filled the air in a crowded music hall in the town of Fontinhas during the last day of "Carnaval," Feb. 24, as Azorean dance troupes, known as "Danças de Carnaval" or carnival dances, performed throughout the night. 

Over 60 dance troupes from all the cities and towns around Terceira performed during the four-day Carnaval, and one member of Team Lajes had the unique opportunity to take part in this annual tradition. 

Everyone who is stationed at Lajes Field is encouraged to immerse themselves in the local culture, and Elizabeth Scheperle, 65th Medical Group, has taken that to heart. Scheperle, who plays the violin, joined a local dance troupe, Dança de Pandeiro da Sociedade Filarmónica das Fontinhas, which performed its production of "Estado da Nação" or "The State of the Nation" all throughout the island. 

Her decision to perform with the group this year originated from a promise that she had made over a year ago. Before Christmas of 2007, three men from the group approached her and formally asked her to join their Carnaval group for 2008. But, due to an inspection here on base during the week of Carnaval last year, she could not perform. However, she made a promise that she would perform with them this year and that is what she did. 

"Everyone is making a big deal about me as a non-Portuguese American being a part of Carnaval," said Scheperle. "But I think the bigger story is that this group in Fontinhas welcomed me, a foreigner, into their group." 

She also added that she was not invited by just one group, but had received invitations from six other groups here on the island. 

"Not only are the people in Fontinhas extremely warm and welcoming, but other groups across the island are as well," said Scheperle. 

"Carnaval here on Terceira is a family friendly community event," said Lt. Col. Dave Gapp, 65th Air Base Wing political affairs. 

Colonel Gapp also stated that in the two years he has been stationed here, he has always been impressed with the performances and productions that are up on. "A lot of the villages on the island are very small but they have a huge 'can do' attitude." 

Preparing for the performances was not an easy task. There were rehearsals five to six nights a week for a month leading up to the performance, and Scheperle also had to memorize the music that the group would be performing, four songs which she had to learn totally by ear. 

"The hardest part of playing the music for me was learning how to walk backwards and play the violin at the same time," she said. 

Another challenge Scheperle faced was the language barrier. 

"Since I don't speak the language very well, it was a personal challenge for me to understand the directions given to me about where to stand and how to dance," she said. "But luckily, there were several people in my group who spoke English and who would help me out if I was really confused." 

During the performance Scheperle even had a speaking part, where she had to deliver a line in Portuguese. 

"Several local nationals on base helped me practice my speaking part so that I could pronounce the words better," she said. "Of course, I still had an American accent when I spoke, but that just made everyone laugh. And the whole point of the play was to make people laugh, so I guess that is okay." 

While today many of the dance troupes take advantage of the Carnaval setting to make fun of the government or of situations or recent events that has not always been the case. 

"It was not until after 1974, when the dictatorship was over thrown and democracy was introduced, that people became more open to satire and comedy to poke fun at politicians, events and customs," said Colonel Gapp. 

There are also groups who choose to portray more serious themes such as real life dramas or tell the lives of kings or saints. 

"Carnaval was an amazing experience," said Scheperle. "It is really hard to put it into words. I sometimes wonder just how I got here and how I've been so blessed to be a part of and participate in Azorean traditions." 

The customs and traditions of the Carnaval celebration and how they evolved here on Terceira are truly unique when compared to other locations which celebrate Carnaval around the world. According to Eduardo Lima, 65th ABW Public Affairs, these dance groups travel from town to town during Carnaval, almost without any interruption, and usually perform in community centers, theaters and other public places. "The performances are actually plays, which include three distinct parts: the 'salutation,' in which the dancers greet the audience; the presentation of the 'theme or topic,' in which the plot of the play is described and developed; and the 'farewell' part in which the dancers thank the audience for their attendance and wish them the best." 

After four nights of performing Scheperle has made bonds that will last a lifetime. 

"The Portuguese people have been nothing but nice to me," said Scheperle. "Even though I am not Portuguese, they have welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me to participate in many of their traditions." 

"I just want to formally thank my Carnaval group in Fontinhas for all they did to accommodate me and for giving me an experience I will never forget."