Peruvian civilization’s legacy on display at photo exhibition

• “At a time when global challenges transcend borders, the role of culture in promoting cooperation, understanding, and peace cannot be overemphasized. Cultural diplomacy is the art of building bridges between nations, and it can be expressed through various aspects,” said H.E. Carlos Jiménez Gil Fortoul, Ambassador of Peru to Kuwait.

The Embassy of Peru, in collaboration with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters and the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center, inaugurated the photo exhibition “Qhapaq Ñan,” showcasing the landmarks of Peruvian civilization since the sixteenth century. The exhibition featured a collection of photos that narrate the history of the Inca road.

The event was attended by Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, H.E. Carlos Jiménez Gil Fortoul, Ambassador of Peru to Kuwait, and several ambassadors and diplomats, as reported by Al Rai newspaper.

Al-Jassar, in a speech on the sidelines of the event, said, “This exhibition tells the story of the construction of one of the largest trade routes in the world, the oldest of which dates back over 3,000 years and extends for 25,000 kilometers. This road has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the international landmarks to be preserved.”

He added, “Kuwait has an interest in registering its sites in the World Heritage, and we are currently in the process of studying how to register Kuwaiti sites. It is important to visit such exhibitions.”

Diplomacy and cooperation

For his part, Ambassador Jiménez emphasized, “Cultural events are of great importance in our increasingly interconnected world. We can achieve our desired goals through agreements and cultural diplomacy, as they are the appropriate tools for achieving success.”

Global challenges

He added, “At a time when global challenges transcend borders, the role of culture in promoting cooperation, understanding, and peace cannot be overemphasized. Cultural diplomacy is the art of building bridges between nations, and it can be expressed through various aspects,”ambassador Jiménez stated in a statement to reporters.

“Today, I would like to focus in particular on the relationship between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Peru, two countries that, despite the geographical distance between them, can greatly benefit from cultural diplomacy and fruitful cooperation. This will promote mutual understanding and respect, strengthen bilateral relations, and encourage economic development,” the ambassador said in a speech.

Milestone in bilateral relations

He stated, “The State of Kuwait and the Republic of Peru signed a cultural cooperation agreement last year, which was a milestone in bilateral relations and paves the way for deeper cooperation, as well as providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration.”

He further emphasized, “This agreement reminds us of the power of culture in uniting, inspiring, and healing people, enriching our societies, strengthening partnerships, and contributing to global progress.”

Inca road system: 25,000 kilometers stretching across six countries

Former Peruvian Ambassador Carlos Velasco gave a speech in which he highlighted the importance of the Inca route, saying, “If you look at the map of the South American continent, you can imagine the splendor of the Inca route in Peru, which extends for 25,000 kilometers. It crosses six countries, from Cusco in Peru to Ecuador, Colombia in the north, and Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina to the south.”

Velasco stated that the Inca road system, known as “Qhapaq Ñan,” means “royal road” in Quechua. He described the road as one of the most advanced and extensive transport routes, with its construction requiring a great deal of time and effort.