CAF reiterates in Central America its catalytic role in the creative and cultural economies of the region

CAF –development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean–, strengthened its catalytic role as an accelerator of the creative and cultural economies of the region as a strategic ally of the 11th edition of the Centroamérica Cuenta Festival, inaugurated this Wednesday night in Panama City .

The CAF representative in Panama, Lucía Meza, expressed during her speech at the opening of the event that “at CAF we are proud to represent the multilateral development bank as a cooperating arm of this important cultural event, so Central American, so Latin American, so Caribbean. and Ibero-American as we are at CAF. We are part of this large family that has found in culture a wonderful way to channel our challenges and dreams; but, also to express our local, national and regional idiosyncrasies and identities; and, furthermore, to capitalize and make profitable the artistic talent of our people.”

Meza concluded his speech by stating that “from this neoclassical and historic National Theater – whose boxes, seats and tables are silent witnesses of so many artists who have given all their talent and have left us an incalculable regional treasure – CAF also joins in raising the curtain of this 11th edition of the Centroamérica Cuenta Festival, because we believe and are convinced that if there is something our people have left over, it is artistic talent. For this reason, at CAF we advocate, bet and cooperate so that this talent is valued in its fair measure and dimension; because in the sustainable development and regional integration of our people, creative and cultural economies also count. Don't shut up, Central America! “Central America Counts!”

Meanwhile, the writer, journalist, politician, jurist and president of the Festival's Advisory Council, Sergio Ramírez, thanked CAF for its cooperation in a previous meeting with the executive president of the multilateral bank, Sergio Díaz-Granados. During the opening of Centroamérica Cuenta, the Nicaraguan writer noted that after the festival's history, “we have enriched the vision of Central America in its diverse identity and we have contributed to promoting the image of a literature that is constantly renewed by our writers dedicated to the most young people, making our literary creation recognized as a sign of our own identity that goes by itself, thanks to its artistic excellence, beyond any ideological or political consideration.”

On behalf of the National Government, the Minister of Culture, Giselle González assured that “we firmly believe in the importance of sharing our stories with the world, of building cultural bridges that connect us with other nations and of enriching global dialogue with our unique perspective. “This festival is an exceptional platform to achieve that purpose.”

The opening event included the conversation called “Artifices: words and music in creative salsa”, between the Panamanian singer-songwriter, Ruben Blades and the Cuban writer, screenwriter and journalist, Leonardo Padura; as an opener to the activities that will continue until Sunday, May 26, 2024. This edition, dedicated to Claribel Alegría, Nicaraguan-Salvadoran poet, narrator, essayist and translator, will bring together more than 50 voices from literature, cinema, music and journalism from 15 Latin American countries.

Committed to regional integration and sustainable development, CAF has taken bold steps by including the creative and cultural economies sector in its portfolio, in harmony with its vision of a future, when cultural wealth and creativity are fundamental pillars for the progress and economic development, through the construction of local initiatives that represent global solutions.

In an increasingly interconnected world, CAF conceives and assumes the importance of promoting cultural heritage and creative talent as drivers of sustainable development in the region. For this reason, in recent times it has been committed to participating, accompanying and actively cooperating in a series of fairs and festivals that celebrate cultural diversity and promote the exchange of ideas in Latin America and the Caribbean: from the Chacao and Caracas Book Festivals to the Hay Festival in different cities (Panama, Cartagena, Arequipa, Querétaro and Segovia), passing through the Gabo Festival in Bogotá and the Centroamérica Cuenta Festival in Panama City and Madrid.