The National Festival of the Pinta’o Hat, returns from October 21 to 23, in person in its tenth version and this year the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura), joins as a sponsor and supports this cultural activity to be held in La Pintada de Cocle.
This year, the festival is of great importance, as it will be the first time that it is organized after the National Assembly approved Bill No. 738, which instituted the National Pintao Hat Festival and created its Board of Trustees with the aim of preserving, disseminate and promote the customs and traditions of the district of La Pintada.
The Minister of Culture, Giselle González Villarrúe, highlighted the contribution of the artisans who dedicate their lives to the elaboration of this garment that identifies Panamanians worldwide, keeping the traditions alive in the process of preparing the materials, managing to market it and make it a respectable source of income for many families.
Likewise, he stressed the support of MiCultura through the academic conferences, prepared for the artisans who will be the protagonists of this tradition and added that “we believe in teaching, training and the transmission of knowledge, which will give them the tools that enhance their art”. The program includes a craft trail with the participation of more than 50 artisans, artistic and cultural shows, an academic symposium called “Sombrero Pintao, Cultural Heritage”, hat contests, parades, drums and a great cart parade.
The technique used in the making of the Pintao hat is a handmade jewel included, for the first time, on December 7, 2017, in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Technology. Culture (Unesco).
