Festival of Cultures

Viva Peru USA is a performing dance organization located in Salt Lake City and Provo City. It preserves Peruvian culture and traditions through the practice of traditional dances and music. Hello everyone, my name is Rocio Rojas and today I’m excited to talk about La Marinera Norteña, Peru’s national dance. This beautiful and elegant dance, originating from the northern coastal region of Trujillo, is a symbol of Peruvian culture and pride. It is often performed by a couple, with each dancer holding a white handkerchief. The woman dances barefoot, showcasing both grace and strength, while the man complements her with playful yet refined movements. Together, they tell a story of courtship — flirtatious, yet respectful. 

The Marinera is a fusion of Spanish, African, and Indigenous influences. It evolved from the zamacueca and was named in 1879 to honor the Peruvian navy. Over the years, it has become a cultural icon, not just in Peru, but around the world, especially in places with large Peruvian communities like the United States and Japan. 

Marinera Norteña is celebrated through competitions, like the annual contest in Trujillo, where dancers from all over showcase their skills. But more than a dance, Marinera is a way to connect with and preserve Peru's rich heritage. 

We are a group of people that have come together to embrace our culture and traditions and share them with the community. Our dances are about storytelling and showing the strength and grace that our women have and overall celebrates our festivities and Mexican culture.   

The following dances are from Veracruz y Jalisco Mexico. You can most always identify Veracruz due to the traditional attire. Which would be the white dresses, red shawl, and a small black apron with embroidered colorful flowers. The movement of the skirt is supposed to represent the waves of an ocean. For Jalisco, it is known to have very vibrant colors and be fun and festive. Lastly we as a group are very happy and honored to be able to represent our culture and share it with everyone around!!!

We are thrilled to introduce Afro-Peruvian Experience Utah, directed by Evelyn Karahalios. This artistic company approaches dance and music from a holistic perspective, highlighting the cultural resilience and creativity of Peru’s Afro-descendant communities. 

Afro-Peruvian culture was born more than 400 years ago on the coast of Peru, when enslaved Africans preserved their rhythms and dances as acts of survival and celebration. Central to this culture are unique instruments like the cajón, cajita, and quijada, which form the heartbeat and texture of Afro-Peruvian music. 

Today’s performance will feature an cajon, cajita and quijada ensemble as well as dances such as Festejo, a lively celebration of freedom and joy; Zamacueca, an elegant and flirtatious partner dance born from African, Spanish, and Indigenous influences; and Toro Mata, a symbolic story of resistance and resilience.