Summary.
The bill proposes an annual celebration in the District of Arraiján to promote and highlight the culture and traditions of the Guna people. Article 1 calls it the “Parade of a Thousand Waves”; the following articles call it the “Parade of a Thousand Molas.” It would apply within the District of Arraiján, while allowing other cultural and territorial institutions to collaborate and participate. The proposed date is the third Sunday of February each year. If that date coincides with Carnival festivities, the celebration would move to the following weekend.
The parade would be guided by respect for and appreciation of cultural diversity, public participation, cultural and tourism development, and inclusion and equity. The bill calls for recognition of Guna roots and traditions; participation and consultation of the Guna community and other cultural and social actors; support for cultural activity and economic activity in the District of Arraiján; and equal opportunities to take part. The Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura), in coordination with the District of Arraiján Mayor’s Office (Alcaldía del Distrito de Arraiján) and organizations representing the Guna community, would plan, organize, promote, and carry out the parade. Annual celebrations would begin in the year following the proposed law’s entry into force.
The program would include exhibitions and competitions featuring molas and traditional crafts; parades and performances of dance, music, and folklore; workshops, talks, and lectures on Guna history and traditions; food and craft fairs; and recreational activities intended to encourage community participation. The Guna community would participate actively at every stage of the parade. Its representatives would be consulted and would have a leading role in organizing and publicizing the activities.
The Ministry of Culture would work with tourism entities and the media on national and international campaigns to promote the parade as an expression of Guna culture and of the District of Arraiján. A monitoring committee composed of representatives of the Ministry of Culture, local authorities, and Guna community leaders would assess the parade’s implementation each year and propose improvements for future editions. The proposed law would enter into force upon publication in the Official Gazette (Gaceta Oficial) and would apply from the following calendar year in which the third Sunday of February occurs.
The public bodies involved would be the Ministry of Culture and the District of Arraiján Mayor’s Office, along with participating local authorities and tourism entities. The bill could be of interest to the Guna community and its representative organizations, other cultural and social actors, the media, and the tourism, crafts, and food sectors.
What it proposes.
- An annual parade devoted to Guna culture.
- Organization and programming of cultural activities in the District of Arraiján.
- Community participation, promotion, and monitoring of the event.
Who it would affect.
- The Guna community and its representative organizations.
- The Ministry of Culture and the District of Arraiján Mayor’s Office.
- Cultural and territorial institutions collaborating on the parade.
Key points.
- Proposes an annual celebration in the District of Arraiján to promote Guna culture and traditions.Art. 1
- Moves the celebration to the following weekend if its date coincides with Carnival festivities.Art. 2
- Sets principles of cultural diversity, public participation, cultural and tourism development, and inclusion and equity.Art. 3
- Assigns planning, organization, promotion, and implementation to the Ministry of Culture, in coordination with the District of Arraiján Mayor’s Office and Guna representative organizations.Art. 4
- Provides for annual celebrations beginning in the year after the proposed law enters into force and specifies cultural, craft, food, and recreational activities.Arts. 5-6
- Provides for consultation and active Guna participation at every stage and for national and international promotional campaigns.Arts. 7-8
- Creates a committee to assess the parade annually and propose improvements for future editions.Art. 9
- Sets entry into force upon publication in the Official Gazette and application from the following calendar year in which the third Sunday of February occurs.Art. 10