The Bolivarian Government of Venezuela called for a grand national celebration following the recent declaration of Joropo as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This distinction marks the eleventh Venezuelan cultural expression to receive such international recognition.

During a telephone interview broadcast on Venezolana de Televisión, the Minister of Popular Power for Culture, Ernesto Villegas Poljak, speaking with President Nicolás Maduro, emphasized the significance of this declaration.

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“We are calling on all cultural practitioners, artists, and creators from all artistic disciplines, and our people in general, to make this declaration a national celebration because we are all united in Joropo,” Villegas stated.

Joropo, a central expression of Venezuelan identity, encompasses a wide range of artistic manifestations. “Circus arts, theater, poetry, literature, sculpture—all expressions of art and culture are included because joropo is Venezuela,” the minister emphasized.

He also recalled that this achievement is part of a process initiated in 2012 by Commander Hugo Chávez with the declaration of the Dancing Devils of Venezuela, to which ten other cultural expressions have been added, most recently.

Immediate Celebration with Cultural Practitioners

As part of the commemorative activities, joropo dancers were invited to the San Carlos Barracks, headquarters of the Alí Primera House of Culture and Liberty, to begin the celebrations on December 9.

For his part, President Maduro praised the diversity of joropo, which includes Llanero, Tuyero, and Eastern styles, and its presence throughout the national territory, from the Llanos plains to Caracas and Carabobo. “We will never dance, never, to the rhythm of any foreign empire. We will continue dancing joropo, as in Carabobo, as in Ayacucho,” the president declared, while linking traditional music with cultural resistance and national sovereignty.

The Hallaca Before UNESCO

In line with this policy of safeguarding heritage, the National Executive announced that the next dossier Venezuela will submit to UNESCO will be that of the hallaca, a gastronomic symbol of Venezuelan Christmas.

“Work is underway on the hallaca dossier, as instructed by the National Executive,” Villegas confirmed, highlighting the role of the Great Mission Viva Venezuela in preserving traditions.

Maduro described the Venezuelan people as “noble, special, blessed, loving, with a truly impressive identity and culture, and a history of patriotism,” reaffirming that a true revolution must be, above all, a great cultural revolution.

Mobilization for the Battle of Santa Inés

As the closing event of the cultural and patriotic celebrations, President Maduro called for a national mobilization on December 10th to commemorate the Battle of Santa Inés of 1859, led by General Ezequiel Zamora.

“The farmers, fishermen, cultural practitioners, and joropo dancers will take to the streets of Caracas to tell the general of the sovereign people, Ezequiel Zamora: you are with us,” he announced.

Summary: Venezuela celebrates the recognition of joropo as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and announces the nomination of hallacas to UNESCO, within the framework of a national strategy to strengthen cultural identity and historical memory.

Caption: Venezuelan cultural practitioners and authorities mobilize in Caracas to celebrate the declaration of joropo as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

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