MiCultura Begins Dialogue for Cultural Projects in Indigenous Community
Content of the News
The Ministry of Culture, through the Cultural Rights and Citizenship Section and the Crafts Section undertook a visit to the Emberá Druá community, located at Chagres National Park to discuss with its authorities and to explore initiatives that strengthen the cultural and ancestral identity of this indigenous people.
The main aim of the meeting was to start his efforts to develop projects and spaces that safeguard his or her mother tongue and his or her ancestral knowledge as part of his or her valuable heritage.
"It's our duty as a Ministry to support the development and preservation of their culture, listening to the needs of communities," stated Katherine Bucktron, National Director of Cultural Rights and Citizenship at MiCultura.
Andrea Lino, leader of the Emberá Drua community, emphasized: "We want a Cultural House, because we have a great deal to share. We have professional artists that are inspired by nature, more than 65 artisan and a mother tongue that's in danger of disappearing. We need spaces to show our cultural wealth and preserve our ancestral knowledge."
Cristina de la Guardia, National Director of Handicrafts, reaffirms his commitment to promoting local talent and creativity. "From this direction, we seek to support the project with the commercialization of the craft products they offer in the community," she remarked with enthusiasm.
"The aim of this effort is to put into value not only the artisan traditions but also to give local artists new opportunities to make their traditions, customs, practices and beliefs known through art.
The Emberá Drua community, with 115 people, has a multi-degree school offering education from first to ninth grade. Nevertheless, it lacks a space intended to promote and strengthen its artistic, cultural and linguistic traditions.
The Cultural House's project aims to preserve not only his or her identity, but also to promote the development of his or her crafts, artists and youth and to guarantee his or her continuing legacy in an environment that values and respects his or her inheritance.
