PREPARATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL DIVISION OF THE

After three years, from October 21 to 23, the National Hat Festival Pinta 'or its tenth version and the National Government through the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) come back as a sponsor and support this cultural activity to be held at La Pintada de Coclé.

That year, the festival was of great importance as it would be the first time after the National Assembly had passed bill No. 738, which established the National Hat Festival and established its Board with the aim of conserving, disseminating and promoting the customs and traditions of La Pintada District.

Giselle González Villarrúe, Minister of Culture, emphasized the contribution of the select group of artisans dedicated their lives to the production of this native garment that identifies Panamanian people worldwide, keeping their traditions alive in the production process of materials and enabling them to market them and make them a respectable source of income for many families.

Also, González Villarrué emphasized MiCultura's support by organizing academic sessions, prepared for the artisan who will be the protagonists of this tradition and added that "we believe in teaching, training and transmission of knowledge, that will give them the tools to enhance their art."

The program includes an intersectional track with the participation of more than 50 artisans, artistic and cultural shows, an academic symposium called "Hat Pintano, Cultural Heritage," contest for hats, horseback riding, drums and a great parade of carts.

The technique used in the manufacture of the pintao hat is an artisan jewel, first included on 7 December 2017, in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).