Peru Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister inaugurates Peru-themed event in Washington D.C.

The inauguration was held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

Visitors to the U.S. nation capital's National Mall, a huge park close to the Smithsonian facilities, will be able to experience Peru's cultural richness, a representation of its geography, which –despite being rugged- has managed to knit a series of connections between communities and history, the Minister said.

“Peru has an impressive vertical landscape, which reunites a series of ecosystems and cultures, admired by tourists from all over the world. It's one of the countries with the largest biodiversity in the world. We have 90 microclimates: coastal environments, cloud forests and impressive mountains, which provide us abundant resources,” she told the audience while opening the mega event.

The to-be-introduced 12 cultural manifestations will be based on "still alive" traditions, handicrafts and archaeology.

Those, who attend the festival known as "Peru Pachamama," will be able to fully appreciate Peruvian communities' knowledge, which use their traditional cultures to pay homage to their ancestors, as well as to reinterpret their heritage.

Among the speeches delivered by the museum authorities and the Minister, attendees contemplated the Moguegua-region’s “Tradiciones Carumeñas”, the “Estudiantina Municipal de Ayacucho” musical trio and enjoyed a “Marinera” theme performed by Peru’s Brand Ambassador Eva Ayllon, who received an ovation.

Likewise, a performance by the dancers participating in the Paucartambo’s Virgen del Carmen Festivity was held. They led visitors into the "Peru Pachamama" venue.

The Peruvian delegation is composed of more than 120 members, who will put 12 cultural manifestations on display throughout the event.

Magali Silva was welcomed by the museum director Kevin Gover. She was also accompanied by the Director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Michael Mason; Smithsonian's Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture, Richard Kurin; Director of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Sabrina Motley; U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Brian A. Nichols; and Peru Ambassador to the U.S., Luis Miguel Castilla, among others.