Panama, April 16, 2026 - The Ministry of Culture with the pollera congo's Board of Trustees at Portobelo announced at a press conference the celebration of the 7th pollera congo Festival, which will be held on May 2 from 10: 00 a.m. at Portobelo, one of the historic locations of the country's Afro-colonial heritage.

The festival will be held in spaces such as the Royal Customs Museum and Portobelo Square, where attendees will enjoy a varied agenda that includes an artisan fair, traditional cuisine, music and congo dances, at a celebration that lights Panamanian cultural identity and legacy.

The day will start with a fair that will bring together local artisans, bearers and entrepreneurs, followed by an emotional act of historic memory with the surrender of a photo of the remembered Queen congo "Catalina."

At 1: 00 p.m. the traditional parade will start through the streets of the district, while at 2: 00 p.m. an expected water parade will be held through the bay, one of the most colorful and iconic moments of the festival.
Since 3: 00 p.m., more than 25 Congos groups will have their main goal, filled with drum, singing and dance, with a living demonstration recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO.

During the announcement, the vice-ministers of culture, Arianne Benedetti, emphasized that "Portobelo does not stop," signalling the community's commitment to preserve its traditions and appreciative of the work of the patronate for enaltecer the region.

For his part, Emma Gómez, head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department, emphasized that this festival is a result of dialogue between communities and authorities and a key platform for visualizing living culture, strengthening identity and ensuring generational renewal.

The conference was also attended by Carlos Chavarría, mayor and president of the pollera congo and Luisa Napolitano, General Manager of Free Zone, who reiterated his support for this celebration that, year after year, puts Portobelo as a reference for the Panamanian cultural heritage.
The pollera congo Festival reaffirms the pride of African roots and strengthens itself as an open invitation to locals and visitors to have an authentic experience, full of history, tradition and joy.