Ahmedabad International Kite Festival 2024: Peru’s Unique Contribution and Cultural Showcase

financialexpress.com:

Hundreds of master kite makers, teams of pilots and contestants coming from all over the world including a team from South American nation Peru participated in the inauguration of the Ahmedabad International Kite Festival, the most important cultural event in the State of Gujarat.

The Embassy of Peru in India participated in the event to demonstrate their art and skills. Among the 55 participating countries, the Peruvian delegation headed by the DCM Monica Campos, stood out with an original kite inspired by the iconic masks of `The Diablada Dance’.

“This was designed especially for the event by the renowned Peruvian graphic artist Jesus Prado “G-SUS ART” who generously agreed to support the effort to disseminate part of their intangible cultural heritage in the Indian subcontinent,” Monica Campos, Deputy Head of Mission in New Delhi.

Since 1989, the city of Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival as part of the official celebration of Uttarayan, the beginning of spring, which is admired by millions of spectators, mainly in India and countries in the Asian region.

According to Ms Campos, “In Perú, The Diablada is a traditional dance practiced in Puno’s region, known as the Capital of Peruvian folklore, since 16th century. Represents the eternal struggle between good and evil, exhibiting the elements of indigenous and Christian religiosity.”

Adding, “The main characters, the Archangel and the Demons wear very luxurious clothes with precious embroideries and huge colorful masks made of silver, gold and different materials, developing extraordinaries choreographies following the rhythm of marches and huaynos (traditional Andean music) performed by musical bands.”

The Diablada Puneña dance is -currently- one of