The 2015 Folklife Festival concluded on Sunday with the completion of the Q’eswachaka Bridge, a second Festival Community Day celebration of Peruvian culture in the United States, and a late-night dance party for all the participants back at the hotel! But Perú: Pachamama does not end here—there are presentations in the Festival Marketplace (open until July 12), related events in New York and D.C. for another month, and many stories and songs to share on the blog. We hope the Festival has sparked questions and curiosities that will keep you exploring Peruvian culture into the future.
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Sunday began with staff and participant photo shoots under the near-complete Q’eswachaka Bridge. Peru Trade Commission director Juan Luis Reus, Ministry of Culture – Moquegua regional director Deisi Rivadeneira, reed raft builder Ángel Piminchumo, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage director Michael Mason (and daughter, hidden) posed together. Photo by Josh Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
MONKY got permission to “chicha-ize” the bridge banner. Photo by Sarah Bluestein, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Program co-curator Olivia Cadaval (in black) consulted with the bridge building team. Photo by Sarah Bluestein, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
A visitor interviewed a dancer from the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen group. Photo by Vivianne Peckham, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Mateo Valderrama readied reed for raft building in the Caballitos de Totora tent. Photo by Vivianne Peckham, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
As part of Festival Community Day, Freddy “Huevito” Lobotón demonstrated how to play the cajita, a percussion instrument inspired by church collected boxes. Photo by Micheal Barnes, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Alfonso Sulca quietly worked away on his boldly colored woven tapestries. Photo by Vivianne Peckham, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Visitors took to the dance floor as Tutuma played in the Afro-Peruvian Music and Dance tent. Photo by Kadi Levo, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Weaver Timoteo Ccarita gave a bandurria lesson to presenter Violet Cavicchi. Photo by Vivianne Peckham, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The Q’eswachaka Bridge builders waved from their completed structure. They stayed an extra day to disassemble the bridge; half with go into the National Museum of the American Indian in D.C., and the other half to the museum’s location in New York City. Photo by Josh Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
We sincerely thank all the participants, presenters, staff, interns, volunteers, and especially visitors for helping bring Perú: Pachamamato life. We’ll see you on the National Mall next summer!
Elisa Hough is the editor for the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
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