Panama, March 28, 2026. The Ministry of Culture, jointly with the Association of Audiovisual Interpreting Rights of Panama (ASDAP), gave an emotional recognition to Panamanian theatricist Edwin Cedeño at the Áurea Baby Torrijos Auditorium of the City of the Arts as part of the World Theater Day.

The vice-ministers of culture, Arianne Benedetti, emphasized his trajectory and his invaluable contribution to the development of performing arts in the country, highlighting his commitment, discipline and passion for an art that "requires public, collaboration and surrender, with the space where everything's possible." Following his 50 years of artistic life, Cedeño has been leading more than 225 performing projects and strengthening his role as a reference to Panamanian theater.

Visibly excited, Edwin Cedeño thanked the Ministry of Culture and ASDAP as well as his friends, colleagues and students who accompanied him at this significant moment.

In theatrical and intimate activity they agreed to recognize that their work has dignified the theater and strengthened the cultural identity of the country.

During the activity, the 9 proposals selected for the Experimental Festival of Teatro de Monologists and bipersonal (FEXT) 2026 were also announced, an initiative that aims to stimulate training, research, participation and presentation of theatrical works and to strengthen local talent.

The selected works are: Old Sea (Jaime Newball), Right Woman (William Castro), Assisted Insomnia (Jessica Vásquez), Zaratustra (Ariadne Betancourt), Forbidden Memory (Omar Herrera), The Banquet of Retists (Roy Williams), Between Voids and Telarañas (Mariela Aragón Chiari), What's wrong with me? (Jeidis Soto) and let's talk about what we haven't been through (Sandy Correa).
The Justices were three specialists from the Panamanian theater chosen by the organisation of the Alondra Badan festival, Yareli Cartin Horta and Carlos Algecira.

The festival will be held from 18 to 31 May in several locations of Panama City and will have workshops, discussions and training activities.

The program also included a presentation by the monologist "The One of Betty" at the Teatro Áurea Baby Torrijos, where international artist Julio César Herrera conquered the public with a proposal loaded with humor and achieved applause and laughter among his assistants.

The day also featured the participation of international actress Aida Bossa as a presenter, who with Herrera offered a masterclass throughout the week, training with the aim of promoting the theater in Panama.

The functions were open to the public, providing tools, knowledge and advice to those who wish to penetrate the world of performing arts.

During the event, the Secretary General, Ivis Moreno and directors from different areas of the Ministry of Culture also joined the celebration, highlighting the legacy of honor and commitment to the formation of new generations.