Every year, the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián honor three figures recognized for their service to the community, sports, music and entertainment. This year, in its 55th edition, the festival will pay tribute to payaso Remi, musical artist Vico C and Olympic medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, all of whom have left a mark on the country's culture in their respective fields.
🎨Payaso Remi
@payasoremi (Instagram)
Remi is credited with being the first Puerto Rican clown. Over a 45-year career, José Vega Santana, through the children's character "Remi," has been responsible for bringing joy and cultural learning to young audiences. From the beginning, he dedicated himself to teaching and raising awareness of important issues through art, paintings and songs.
"One day I went with some painter friends to show paintings at Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera. Seeing how many children were there, one of them said: 'It would be great if you gave them an art workshop,' but I realized I had left my canvases behind. A friend said: 'Paint your face.' I said: 'Why don't you paint yours?' and he answered: 'You paint yours because you're more of a clown,' and that stuck with me"
the artist explained in an interview with Platea, referring to the first time he created the look of his clown character Remi.
It was not until 1985, however, that Ortiz shortened Doremi, the name of the explorer character created by Vega Santana, to Remi, and the character debuted on its own show, Chiquimundo, on channel 7, the artist mentioned. Then, in 1987, El Planeta Remi launched on channel 6, where he has been working for 30 years since.
A look at his artistic career
165 theatrical productions based on the song Salvemos el Planeta, and a record that sold more than 100,000 copies.
Latin Grammy nomination in 2008 for Best Children's Album
Publication of the book Salvemos el Planeta
Winner of 5 Emmy Awards for the production El Chivito
YouTube channel: Remi Oficial
🎤 Vico C
Rapper, producer and songwriter Vico C, whose given name is Luis Armando Lozada, is recognized as one of the pioneers of the urban music movement on the Island, according to various local and international outlets.
The singer has shaped the culture of rap in the country through his socially critical lyrics, with nine albums to his name so far.
His career became official in 1987, and he adopted the nickname Vico as part of his stage name, adding the C as a stylistic touch, according to information shared on the website of the Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular.
A look at his musical career
His singles "Saborealo" and "Matus" were certified gold and platinum
Rolling Stone magazine ranked him fourth on a list of the 50 greatest rappers in the history of Spanish-language trap
After four years away, his return to music with "Aquel que había muerto" surpassed 50,000 units sold within days of its release
Winner of Billboard magazine's Latin Rap award in 1999
Winner of the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album in 2002 and 2004
Winner of the Career Achievement Award at the Premios Tú Música Urbana in 2023
🏅Jasmine Camacho Quinn
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, a standout 100-meter hurdles athlete, is the first Puerto Rican woman to win a world athletics medal and the second to bring the Island an Olympic gold medal, following her performance at Tokyo 2020.
Although she was born and raised in the United States, the athlete is the daughter of a Puerto Rican mother, which is why she identifies as Puerto Rican. She has always expressed her connection to the island's culture and has represented the Island in international competition since 2016.
The medalist is an example for Puerto Ricans in the diaspora and conveys the message that "it doesn't matter where you're born or raised, it's where you feel you're from," said Sara Rosario, president of the Comité Olímpico de Puerto Rico (COPUR).
"It is an honor that these Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián are dedicated to her. She is very happy. Although she has not had the chance to experience it in person, she wants to maintain her connection with Puerto Rico, its customs and its culture," said the COPUR president.
In 2016, Camacho Quinn qualified for the semifinal of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which were part of her debut as a representative of the Island. After a forced rest period due to injuries, the medalist returned to compete in the following international competitions:
A look at her athletic career
Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021) – Awarded her first Olympic gold medal, the second for Puerto Rico, in the 100-meter hurdles.
2022 World Championships in Oregon – Awarded a bronze medal
2023 World Championships in Budapest – Awarded a silver medal
2023 Central American Games – Awarded a gold medal
2023 Caribbean Games – Awarded a gold medal
Paris 2024 Games – Awarded a bronze medal
Payaso Remi, Jasmine Camacho and Vico C will take part in the tribute ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., on Calle San Sebastián. The honorees will perform the ribbon cutting and the traditional parade, which will end at Plaza San José.
Guide to the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián 2026 — Explore here
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
