Ayacucho Retablos tell the story of Peru’s Andean heritage, says Peruvian envoy
- Kuwait-Peru relations are strong, and we are proud of what has been achieved over nearly 50 years — H.E. Carlos Jiménez
The Embassy of the Republic of Peru hosted a reception to mark the opening of the exhibition “Ayacucho Retablos: A Living Tradition of the Peruvian Andes” at the Contemporary Art Platform (CAP Kuwait). The exhibition will continue until October 6, attracting a number of diplomatic and cultural figures, as well as people interested in art and heritage.
Peruvian Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Carlos Jiménez said the exhibition provides a window into a distinctive aspect of Peru’s cultural heritage and gives visitors an opportunity to discover Peru through the colors and stories featured in Ayacucho retablos, regarded as one of the country’s most prominent traditional art forms.
He explained that these handcrafted works originate from the Ayacucho region in the Andes and consist of brightly colored wooden boxes containing miniature scenes depicting different aspects of everyday life, celebrations, music, dance, traditional occupations and Andean customs.
Jiménez added that each piece is handcrafted and painted by skilled artisans and carries its own story, while reflecting the creativity, identity and cultural heritage of the Peruvian people. He noted that the art has become one of the distinctive symbols of Peru’s popular art and helps preserve traditions and stories passed down from one generation to the next.
Nearly half a century of relations
The Peruvian ambassador also highlighted relations between Kuwait and Peru, describing them as strong and noting their development over recent decades, particularly as the two countries approach nearly 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. He stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen contacts between the two peoples and expanding areas of bilateral cooperation.
He said cultural activities, including the exhibition, serve as an important bridge between the two countries, as culture provides a means of learning about the history, identities and traditions of different peoples while strengthening mutual understanding and communication.
The “Ayacucho Retablos” exhibition features a collection of works depicting scenes from life in the Andean region through small, brightly colored artistic boxes containing characters and scenes inspired by everyday life, popular celebrations, music, dance, customs and traditional occupations.
The works are distinguished by their intricate details and rich variety of colors, with each piece reflecting an aspect of Peru’s collective cultural memory and offering visitors a visual and cultural experience through which they can explore the traditions of the Ayacucho region and its heritage passed down through generations.
“Discover Peru through the colors and stories of Ayacucho” is the message conveyed by the exhibition, which seeks to present this traditional art as a living expression of the Peruvian people’s cultural identity, rather than simply as handicrafts or artworks displayed for viewing.
