With a colorful parade featuring Puno-based dances and the presence of distinguished personalities, Puno locals celebrated the first year since the Festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria of Puno was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The planned activities included a ceremony to honor Puno-based authorities that participated actively in the creation of the nomination file of Puno’s greatest festivity as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The recognition act saw the presence of Yeny Silva Quispe, Head of Puno’s Folklore and Culture Regional Office, and former regional and local authorities.
At the same time, students from Universidad Nacional del Altiplano held a parade of ‘sicuris’, a traditional dance from Puno region.
Other activities included a photo exhibition about the Candelaria Festivity, a Eucharistic celebration and the unveiling of the plaque in recognition of the Festivity’s inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Candelaria Festivity nomination satisfied the criteria for inscription on the Representative List.
Among other things, the nomination responds to the fact that the Festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria combines religious rituals with traditional music, dances and craftsmanship, and gathers the Quechua and Aymara communities of Puno and the surrounding region.
In fact, its inscription on the Representative List could contribute to awareness of the ability of intangible cultural heritage to create spaces for exchange, social cohesion and celebration of the diversity of religious beliefs and cultural expressions, while testifying to respect and dialogue between communities.
(END) JCB/MAO/RMB
Published: 11/28/2015