Panama 26 July 2026. To safeguard the country's intangible heritage and promote artistic excellence, the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) dedicated a total economic contribution of 55 00.00 psalboas to support the conduct of four important national folkloric competitions.

The institutional fund was distributed to the pollera National Festival (B /. 25 00.00), the Acordion Victorio Vergara Btista National Competition (B /. 10 00.00), the Btista Díaz National Clumac Violines Competition (B /. 10 00.00) and the Camisilla National Competition, the Pintano and Junco Hat (B / 10 00.00).

On his day dedicated to the accordion, as a tribute to the immortal Victoria Vergara Batista, the institution celebrated the talent of the new and established generations of typical Panamanian music.

During the evening an emotional tribute was paid to outstanding artists Kzy and Kiara for their musical trajectory, at an event with the presence of the daughter of "Mandamas" and his grandson, Victorio Vergara, who performed iconic pieces of his grandfather, reveling memorable moments of his folklore.

At his performance contest, Juan De León earned his first place in the Youth category while Isaac Pérez López became a triumphant at the Adult category.

At the National pollera Festival, the work of key figures in the conservation of our traditions, such as promoter Nedelka Diaz, Orphero Ennio Ortiz and world-class artisan Zenaida Rodriguez de González, was advanced.

The winners by category were Estefanía Zevallos López (pollera Montuna), Lia Madrid (Regional Gala), Carmen Amada Pinzzo (Hapbreada Calada), Nelly Velasco (Marcada) and Ana Isabel Carrizo Castillo (Zurich), who also deserved the best prize of the contest, the prestigious Margarita Lozano Prize, after the traditional draw among the winners.

The province of Los Santos was also the stage of the National Clumac Batista Diaz Violines Competition, an event sponsored by MiCultura that paid tribute to master Agustín Vergara for his invaluable contribution to the preservation of traditions.

Following the appraisal of the qualifying jury, they were first elevated with Naomy Medina at the Youth Category, Doris Sánchez at the Medalist and Abel Cerrud at the highest category, Climac Batista.

The National Camisilla contest, the Pintano and Junco Hat confirmed an institutional commitment to support and reward the master's degree of Panamanian artisan hands. At this edition, the first locations were awarded to Johanna Judith Barrios at Juntano Hat (artisan: Justino Pérez), Jaime Pérez at the Spanish Hat (artisan: María Mendoza) and Alejandro Zarzavilla Domínguez at Camisilla (artisan: Carlos González), with the continuous support of the Ministry of Culture to managers and cultors who maintain their national identity.