Panama, September 29, 2025. - The Ministry of Culture, as part of the National Festival of mejorana, highlighted the legacy of the husbands Manuel Fernando Zárate and Dora Pérez de Zárate, founders of this folklore celebration that for 76 years has been enlarging the Panamanian traditions in honor of the Virgin of Mercedes, patron of Guararé.

On behalf of Minister María Eugenia Herrera, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Ivis Moreno, noted that "this festival is a tribute to an outstanding couple who, together with Guaranian visionaries, consolidated one of the most important cultural manifestations in the country."

During the ceremony, recognition was given to personalities who have contributed to the preservation and dissemination of national folklore. Francisco Paz de la Rosa received the Dora Pérez de Zárate Award while Simon Saavedra was distinguished with the Order Manuel F. Zárate.

The contribution of the Ministry of Culture was representative with an artisan path, with the participation of artists and 63 artisan, with talent and tradition keeping this festival alive.

On Sunday, 28, the Ministry of Culture participated at the Grand Parade, with first place in the category of institutional carts. The delegation presented a representation of the construction of a house at Quincha through the traditional Board of Embarra, considered one of the most true expressions of the Panamanian folklore.

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture, made up of Arianne Benedetti, Vice-Minister of Culture, Ivis Moreno, Secretary General, Gianni Bianchini, National Director of the Arts, Raúl Castro Zachrisson, National Director of Museums and Alhis Diaz Espinosa, Regional Director, participated in the activities of the mejorana 2025 National Festival, where she congratulated the Festivals and the Guarantean community for organizing this festival.