LIMA (Peru): Folk dancers, adorned in vibrant costumes and brimming with energy, brought an added splash of colour and spirit to celebrate the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) from Nov 14-16, 2024, in the South American nation’s capital city.
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The lively street dance parades, namely “Saya” and “Caporales”, hallmarks of Peru’s rich cultural heritage, were on full display and preceded the high-level meetings and serious deliberations by APEC leaders on free regional trade later in the week.
“Such gaiety is a true Peruvian tradition and is a common sight in the capital city during weekends,” Lima Municipal Council’s cultural representative, Daniel Romero, told Bernama in an interview on Sunday in Lima.
Lima, Peru’s capital with a population of 11.36 million, will be hosting the APEC meeting for the third time after 2008 and 2016 and is hoping the gathering of Asia-Pacific leaders will further help the nation’s economic recovery, especially via tourism.
The aim of such activities is not only to celebrate tradition but also to serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting local culture, Romero said.
The most widely spoken language in Peru is Spanish.
“We welcome everyone to enjoy the show,” he said, adding that with the AELW, the number of dancers and participants was increased to showcase local culture to over 15,000 visitors, including officials and journalists, converging here.
The “Saya” is typically performed to the beats of traditional Afro-Peruvian drums, like the Cajon, a wooden percussion instrument and the Djembe or congas.
Meanwhile, according to news from various websites, the Caporales dance has its roots in the Afro-Bolivian and Andean communities. It was inspired by the “Caporal”, or “foreman,” a figure who oversaw African slaves working in the mines and haciendas of Bolivia.
The dance was energetic with powerful footwork as dancers executed rapid stomps, kicks, and turns, with sharp movements. Dazzling costumes, rhythmic beats, and joyful dances the dances embody drew both locals and visitors into a shared celebration of heritage.
Besides the festival-like street performances, various places in Lima are being prepared for celebrations in conjunction with the AELW. One of the many areas is the ruins of Pachacamac, located about 25 kilometres from the central city of Lima, which is said to be one of the most impressive archaeological sites.
Located in the stylish, upscale district of Miraflores, the clay and adobe pyramid of Huaca Pucllana presents an interesting contrast to the sleek, modern buildings which surround it. This site will most likely be used for APEC leaders’ photo sessions. The main location for AEWL is the Lima Convention Center.
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Asked about Peru as APEC Chair in 2024, Romero said it has immensely benefitted the country, especially in attracting visitors and boosting the tourism industry.
Peru’s Tourism Minister Elizabeth Galdo highlighted that more than 50 per cent of Peru’s annual international tourists come from APEC economies.
This year, Peru aims to increase international tourist arrivals to 4.4 million from 2.5 million in 2023, and register 48 million domestic trips, she said at the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in June.
These goals are estimated to generate around 1.5 million jobs and increase tourism’s contribution to Peru’s gross domestic product (GDP) to 4.0 per cent in 2024.
“The arrival of tourists to Peru from the Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 52 per cent of total arrivals, representing an increase of 50.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2023,” said Minister Galdo. “This recovery represents almost 69 per cent of pre-pandemic levels for the same period.”
Minister Galdo said the Inca citadel nestled in the world-famous and mystical Machu Picchu, 80 km northwest of Cusco and located high in the Andes Mountains, attracted close to one million visitors in 2023, making Cusco one of the most important drivers of economic development in Peru.
Besides Machu Picchu, Peru’s other iconic landmarks include the Colca Canyon, Rainbow Mountains, Nazca Lines, and the historic city of Cusco itself.
Peru, a western South American country, is bordered by Ecuador and Colombia to the north and to the east by Brazil.
APEC is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It represents nearly 40 per cent of the world’s population, almost half of global trade and over 60 per cent of the global economy.
Malaysia is among the 12 founding members of APEC.
-BERNAMA
-NewStraitsTime