Panama, May 23, 2026. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Ivis Moreno, participated in the events of opening the Festive cycle of Corpus Christi at La Villa de Los Santos, one of the most iconic religious and cultural events of the country, declared an Inmaterial Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO.

During the day, which included the traditional ceremonial of the Reunited Devil, Moreno was represented by the Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, and reiterated his institutional commitment to the preservation of cultural and religious expressions that form part of national identity.

In her speech, the Secretary General emphasized that for Minister Herrera, the designation as an official midmother of Corpus Christmas 2026 "completely transcends the plane of a protocolary recognition and first and foremost a sacred call of the carrier people."

He also noted that "an immaterial heritage is the living soul of the nation," referring to the historic and spiritual value of this celebration that brings together thousands of faithful, danzants and bearers of tradition every year in the province of Los Santos.

Moreno announced that next June 4, the Minister of Culture will participate in the central festivities of Corpus Christi, bearing the pavilion of the Catholic Church "with the mysticism and reverence that this jewel, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, demands to the world."

The Secretary General also emphasized that this year's celebration coincides with the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the Anifictionic Congress of Panama, and established a parallelism between both historic events.

"Just as two hundred years ago Panama was the diplomatic meeting place of America, today La Villa de Los Santos, through its Corpus Christi, remains the chrysol where the culture, tradition and faith of all mankind converge," she expressed.

He argued that the cultural diplomacy advanced by the Ministry of Culture aims to "build bridges, protect our root and project the grandeur of Panamanian identity before the eyes of the world."

During the event, Moreno also thanked the cultural bearers, dancers, carpeting and safeguard these ritual expressions for keeping alive a tradition that has been guarded by generations since colonial times.

"Thank you for keeping the fire of identity light. thank you for reminding us that a people who dance for their God and who uphold his memory is an eternally free people," she stated.