RETABLO. START OF SCHOOL YEAR

Start of the school year Year: 1973 Dimensions: Open: 26.5 x 62.5 x 9 cm / Closed: 26.5 x 31.x 9 cm The retablo shows the first day of classes in Edilberto Jiménez's hometown: Alcamenca, in the province of Víctor Fajardo, Ayacucho. It is daytime and the sun hides behind the mountains; in the sky a condor takes flight. On the left side we see the teachers with solemn expressions singing the national anthem. To the right, the schoolchildren are lined up, also singing the anthem with their voices and, some of them, with instruments. The parents are on the right, beneath a cactus. Their body language shows them encouraging and compelling their children to remain in the school formation. They have accompanied them to school. Edilberto Jiménez mentions how the first day of school can be a difficult occasion for children, especially for those attending classes for the first time. Both the triangular crown and the interior and exterior of the retablo's doors feature the traditional white background decorated with flowers and branches in colors.