Panama's August 21, 2026. The Ministry of Culture held an evening on Friday, August 21, at the "Baby" Torrijos Teatro Aurea of the City of the Arts, the Gala of Antaño, as part of Folklore's National Week, dedicated to recognizing the path and legacy of the elisa de Céspedes and Petite Escobar, two figures linked to the history of Panamanian folk dance.

The gala brought together national authorities, cultural managers, teachers, artists, folkloric groups, families, special guests and public, on a day that put into play the music, dance and traditions that are part of the cultural identity of the country.

The program included an audiovisual tour of the artistic life of elisa de Céspedes, followed by a presentation of Folklore & Arts by elisa de Céspees and the Folklórico Panameño Ballet, with an artistic selection inspired by his path and contribution to national culture.

The second part of the gala was dedicated to Petite Escobar, with a video about his trajectory and an artistic tribute by former members of the Folkloric Ballet of Panama, who returned to the stage to pay tribute to whoever forms part of this group's history.

The activity also gave recognition to the participating groups and representatives of the honors. The distinctions were given by the ministers of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, Social Development, Beatriz Carles Arango and the national director of Folklore, José Alberto Sosa Roner.

The Gala de Antaño was part of the program of Folklore National Week, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture that includes artistic activities, exhibitions and meetings dedicated to preserve, appreciate and transmit traditional Panamanian expressions.

The day emphasized the contribution of generations of artists and teachers who have dedicated their path to the teaching and dissemination of folklore and put to value the transmission of these manifestations to new generations.