Fireworks and Peruvian heritage cultural programs will open the LA-EU Summit

The Fifth Latin America -European Union Summit is being held in Lima, Peru. This is a meeting of the Presidents and Head of States and Governments of Latin America and the European Union. They get together in order to set strategies to benefit the multinational corporations of both regions. But they won't say that.

What they say is this: "the summit is intended to achieve a variety of cooperation agreements between Latin American countries and the European Union. These agreements are based on three pillars: Political dialogue, enhancement of trade relations, and development cooperation. Two main forums for political dialogue exist: a dialogue between the EU and the Rio Group at Foreign Minister level, and the Summit Meetings of EU and LAC Heads of State and Governments."

Yeah, Ok. Next. Another of the event's Press Release states:

"60 countries will be represented. The main topic of the event will be "poverty, inequality and inclusion" and also "sustainable development: environment, climate change and energy"

How ridiculous. Can you imagine? Most of these leaders are neoliberal agents and they wan us to believe that they really care about the world and the humanity. I'm touched by their concern. Hmm, hmm.

The Peruvian government wants to impress visitors with the best of what Peru has to offer: our diverse cultural heritage. The very few regular Peruvian folks -besides bureaucrats- attending the summit, will be the artists and of course the blue-collar workers.

Let's see. I am ready this crap titled "Cultural Agenda for the 5th. AL-EU Summit" which doesn't really have any agenda, nor an event program. It's just nothing.

So I want to talk about the logo of the event - which I included in this post. Don't you think is really bad how they converted Machu Picchu into a massive shape of some unknown material? What a simplistic way to portrait a beautiful site!

Of course, the government of Peru -so out of touch with its Indigenous populations- will show an Indigenous site as a logo, even if they were about to keep Cusco aside of the summits, after popular protests. But what else could Peru show as a cultural icon? The cathedral of Lima or the Jockey Plaza mall? Ha.

The summit will begin with 2 sets of firework spectacles scheduled by tonight May 15 at 8:30 pm. at both the San Cristobal hill (old town Lima) and at the city waterfront facing the Pacific Ocean. They should be fun to watch!

Also, international visitors are invited to stop by the Circuito Mágico del Agua [magic water circuit], where 13 water fountains are to be illuminated by colorful laser circuits. They are located the Reserva park.

On Friday May 16 there will be a program tittled "White Night" [a white what?] which will illuminate the district of Miraflores with special lighting features and during the whole night, so people can come out and enjoy their city. A line-up of Peruvian and European artists -they don't say who and where- will perform in the streets of Miraflores, celebrating the Summit and the International Year of the Potato as well, with offerings to the Earth. The program includes also video screenings and live dance and play performances. A free-to-the-public conference about environmental issues will be held at a fancy hotel of San Isidro, an exclusive district of Lima.

Is that it? Apparently yes.

Well I did notice that everything about these cultural programs are meant to show a cute picture of Peru. You know, the same cultural heritage that is hardly promoted among Peruvians by our local media, because is not cool, you know. But every time Peru wants to promote itself, then they remember our culture.

It is kind of contradictory, but the good thing about it is that they -the people of Peru- will be exposed to our own beautiful cultures for a few days. Even if is to delight and to impress foreign visitors, that is better than nothing.

I will try to post about these cultural events in the following days.

Also I am looking forward to hear the gossip about the meetings of heads of state -especially Hugo Chavez from Venezuela and that ugly mean lady who is president of Germany. And the football game (soccer) between Bolivia's Evo Morales, Hugo Maradona and the 1970's Peruvian national team. Of course the ending celebration of La Cumbre de los Pueblos - the alternative summit of the peoples- with the presence of Evo Morales, Hugo Chavez, Rafael Correa and Fernando Lugo.

One thing I will definitely avoid, will the boring speeches of unpopular and corrupted Peruvian president Alan Garcia.

Later.


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