 | | Annie Bazan-De-Fisher and Satnam Rana |
Birmingham was on fire on Sunday 2nd July 2006 as the city's favourite Latin event set the city centre pulsing to the Latin vibe. Latin Queen Annie This is the fourteenth year of the Latin American Festival which was founded in the city in 1992 by Annie Bazan-De-Fisher who promotes Peru and Latin American culture throughout the West Midlands, but especially Birmingham, her home town since her arrival from Peru.
 | | Conga in Victoria Sqaure |
Back in 1978 when Annie arrived to Birmingham from her native Peru she found that there was a total absence of Latin culture. A keen dancer and performer, Annie combined her studies and work with the promotion of the music and dance of Peru and all the countries of Latin America. Colourful and full of mystery
 | | Fantasia Latina |
"The festival is so important because English people and people from all cultures should learn about Latin America, a continent which is colourful, full of mysteries and also very friendly," said Annie. "It has a good atmosphere, colour and a variety of food and culture - and people enjoy it very much!"
 | | Salsa! |
Thousands of people gathered in Victoria Square to watch Latin American performers from Columbia, Brazil, Peru and Chile. Latin fans were treated to modern and traditional dances such as Danza de las Tijeras, a Peruvian Scissor Dance, and Samba by the Funki Feathers. Hot, sexy and exotic! "When the bands play people can't help but dance," said Annie "the music touches the soul.
 | | Funki Feathers |
"We thought we'd introduce something everybody will take part in this year with a huge conga around the square and also the Merengue and Salsa that everybody loves joining in with." Sure enough, as the Samba and Salsa bands played, Brummies soaked up the Latin vibe and indulged in the hot, spicy, exotic and let's face it - very sexy - dances of Latin America.
 | | Dancing in Victoria Square |
Birmingham's Latin Festival is a labour of love for Latin queen Annie: "We are very happy that Birmingham has opened its arms to Latin American culture. Sunshine and music lifting spirits "Latin America embraces all cultures of the world. My passion keeps me doing this and the festival for me is my baby - it's even older than my children!
 | | Peruvian Scissors Dance |
"I feel so happy to see people from different nationalities all together enjoying the music and dance. The dancing, the sunshine and the Latin American culture lifts the spirits of people." "I want to say thank you to Birmingham for welcoming me 28 years ago and I want to give something back. I hope one day when I return to my beloved Peru people will remember me here. Fifteenth anniversary
 | | Manos Negras African Peruvian group |
"Next year will be our 15th anniversary and I hope everyone who has photos from the last 15 years will share them for our exhibition in 2007. I put my heart and soul and life into this festival and these memories are very important." ABS* Latin Promotions ABS* Latin Promotions was founded by Annie Bazan-De-Fisher a Peruvian Cultural Awards Winner and is a voluntary and a non-profit making organisation created to introduce, promote and share the music, dance, arts and general culture of Peru and Latin America. | 
