Panama City, August 23, 2025. - Panama celebrated World Folklore Day with a day of faith, tradition and culture that included a mass, dialogues, workshops, tributes and an artistic show that highlighted the wealth of national identity.

The commemoration began with a mass of thanksgiving at the Basilica Cathedral Santa María la Antigua, presided by Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa, who in his homily recalled that "the folklore in the life of a country is his soul made singing, color and movement. That's the diversity of intersecting and rhythms that defines us as a people."

At an emotional event, the bust was developed in honor of the Panamanian folklorist Dora Pérez de Zárate, a piece, donated by the University of Ganexa Art and prepared by Ricaurte Martínez, rector of the University, made from glass fiber and polyurethane, using as a guide photographs of the educator, writer, poet and Panamanian folklorist.

The donation of the bust is a recognition of the invaluable legacy of Dora Pérez de Zárate and his contribution to the Panamanian folklore, as expressed by Martínez, director of Ganexa.

His grandson Sergio Arosemena Zárate emphasized "I have been alarmed by this gesture, by the Folklorists and by this tribute to my grandmother. Thank you for everything, I congratulate the hands that did the work.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Zárate Pro Rescate Foundation as well as families and friends.

The cultural program also includes a number of dialogues, including "La Cumbia as a National Heritage," with the participation of well-known exhibitors such as Nodier Casanova and Mario García Hudson.

Also, the second Workshop on Law 36 of 6 February 2023 was held with the recognition and protection of manifestations of the Panamanian oral and musical heritage as the tenth, singing, mejorana, musicians and trovators with the participation of institutions and specialists.

The day culminated with the show "Panameña Fantasia" at the Balboa Theater, where folkloric groupings delight the public with music, dances and colorful dressages that awaken the cultural intersecting of the country.

During the evening, recognition was also given to Folkloric groups and artists that have been instrumental in keeping Panamanian traditions alive.
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With these activities, the Ministry of Culture aims to preserve and project Panamanian folklore as a living heritage, historic memory and an engine of national identity.