Peru is sole host at the Smithsonian Festival in Washington DC

At the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Magali Silva opened the 49th Smithsonian Folklife Festival, called "Peru-Pachamama." Peru is the sole host of the festival.

"Peru has an impressive vertical landscape which holds a diversity of ecosystems and cultures admired by tourists from all over the globe. It is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries; we have ninety micro-climates in our country: coastal environments, cloud forest and impressive mountains that provide abundant resources," the minister explained to her audience.

During the opening ceremony, festival-goers had the chance to enjoy the Tradiciones Carumeñas de Moquegua group, the Estudiantina Municipal de Ayacucho trio, and the musical interpretation of a marinera folk song by Eva Ayllón, a brilliant singer and Peru country brand ambassador. They also enjoyed the performance of the dancers that participate in the Virgin of Carmen Festival in Paucartambo.

More than 120 Peruvian musicians, dancers, artists, craftspeople and chefs will stage 12 cultural performances for audiences at the Smithsonian. These include a recreation of how the Q’eswachaca bridge was built, the reed watercraft of Huanchaco and the engraved gourds that two sisters from Huancayo make using techniques passed down through generations.

“Peru Pachamama” will be held from 24th to 28th June, and will continue 1st to 5th July. These dates fall over the 4th of July weekend in the United States, meaning that thousands of tourists will gather, which provides an excellent opportunity to promote Peru’s best qualities as a destination with living cultures and unique experiences for travellers.