PERU CELEBRATES ITS CULTURAL HERITAGE IN SHARJAH WITH “DANCES OF PERU”

Sharjah, UAE — Peru celebrated its national day in the United Arab Emirates through an evening dedicated to its rich cultural heritage, as the “Dances of Peru” performance brought together more than 100 guests at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah on July 28.

Organized in collaboration with the House of Wisdom, the event formed part of Peru’s Fiestas Patrias celebrations and offered audiences an artistic journey through the country’s diverse cultural traditions, from the coast and Andes to the Amazon.

The performance featured the Peruvian artistic company “Soy del Perú,” with 20 artists presenting a program of six traditional dance compositions, complemented by musical interludes. The evening opened with the iconic “El Cóndor Pasa” and continued with a selection that included an Ayacuchan tableau, a Peruvian waltz, “Lavanderas,” “Marinera Puneña,” “Kachampa,” “Contradanza,” “Marinera Lamista,” the musical performance “Vírgenes del Sol,” and concluded with the energetic “Huaylarsh Moderno.”

A CULTURAL EVENING AT THE HOUSE OF WISDOM

The choice of venue added particular significance to the celebration. The House of Wisdom is one of Sharjah’s leading cultural and knowledge institutions, created as part of the emirate’s legacy following its designation as UNESCO World Book Capital 2019.

The event welcomed diplomats, government representatives, business leaders and members of the Peruvian community in the UAE.

Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Alberto Farje and Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of the House of Wisdom.

Among the distinguished guests were the ambassadors of the Dominican Republic, Renso Herrera Franco; Spain, Emilio Pin Godos; Australia, Ridwaan Jadwat; and Nepal, Tej Bahadur Chhetri, as well as Barbados Deputy Head of Mission Andre Padmore and the Chargé d’Affaires of Moldova.

Representatives from Sharjah’s Government Relations Department, the Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain Chambers of Commerce, the Ajman Tourism Authority and the Al Qasimi Foundation in Ras Al Khaimah also attended, alongside members of the Peruvian community.

CELEBRATING PERU’S MILLENNIAL LEGACY

In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Alberto Farje highlighted Peru’s millennial cultural heritage and the achievements of the civilizations that preceded modern Peru, particularly in engineering, agriculture, medicine and the arts.

He emphasized that this heritage continues to inspire Peru today and represents one of the world’s oldest continuous cultural traditions.

The Ambassador also underscored the significance of celebrating Peru’s national day in Sharjah, widely recognized as a cultural and intellectual center of the UAE and an international platform for knowledge, creativity and dialogue between civilizations.

The House of Wisdom, he noted, was particularly appropriate for the occasion, reflecting the idea that knowledge and culture have always been among humanity’s most enduring bridges.

Despite the geographical distance separating Peru and the UAE, Farje stressed that both countries share a belief in the power of culture to bring peoples closer together.

Marwa Al Aqroubi echoed this message, noting that every culture has a story that deserves to be shared. She described the evening as a celebration not only of Peru, but also of the growing friendship between Peru and the United Arab Emirates.

PERUVIAN CULTURE ACROSS THE UAE

The Sharjah performance was part of a broader cultural visit by the “Soy del Perú” artistic company to the UAE.

Days earlier, the same ensemble performed in Al Ain as part of the “Around The World” festival at Al Bawadi Mall, extending the celebration of Peruvian culture beyond Sharjah.

The appearance marked the company’s second visit to the UAE, following its first visit in 2024.

Through dance, music and traditional performance, “Dances of Peru” provided a vivid introduction to the country’s cultural diversity while reinforcing the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening international relationships.

For Peru and the UAE, the celebration at the House of Wisdom demonstrated how cultural exchange can create meaningful connections between communities, institutions and nations — turning thousands of kilometers of distance into an opportunity for dialogue.