Guatemalan Cultural Rescue: Opening of New Candelaria Institute

By Heifer International

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: October 23, 2012

Story by Debora Martinez | Communications Coordinator | Heifer Guatemala

A celebration was held for the opening of Agricultural Institute as part of the Economic Development, Education, Food and Nutrition Security project, in partnership with the Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung Foundation and the municipality of Senahú, on September 6, 2012.

Several representatives of the Costa Foundation, Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung, Heifer Guatemala, parents, students and leaders from the Senahú Township attended the event.

For this important event, the young people prepared two cultural acts. One was a marimba performance. The students had learned to play this native instrument in class, and they performed with both nervousness as well as joy. While playing songs on the marimba, students also performed a traditional dance of the Moors wearing masks and handmade costumes. Don Filiberto Choc, a community leader who has been working to ensure that these cultural practices remain important, helped the students with this performance.

Carlos Hernandez, coordinator for Heifer Guatemala, said, “To me, the event seemed well-coordinated. The students knew what to do and they executed it very well. The interesting part of this event for me was the recovery of cultural customs - the art of performing a tune on marimba and the Dance of the Moors.”