To foster artistic expression and revitalize the Mayan language among new generations, the ninth edition of the Lu’um Puksi’ik’al / Heart of the Earth Holy Week Festival kicked off on Monday, April 14th, in the municipality of Sotuta. Titled “Iik’il t’aan / The Word of the Wind,” the event seeks to inspire children and youth to express themselves through spoken, written, and sung words.
For two weeks, from April 14 to 26, the festival offers free workshops for children, adolescents, and young adults, with a diverse program that combines contemporary cultural expressions with regional heritage.
Activities include workshops on the Maya language, Maya rap with Pat Boy and ADN Maya, hip-hop culture with Ceiba Flava, mural painting with local artists, Japanese origami, calligraphy, contemporary dance, and birdwatching.
In addition to the workshops, artistic activities are presented, such as the literary exhibition “Tell Me a Story” by Dr. Leticia Brambila, the interactive dance piece “Horizonte” by the MakinaDT company, as well as concerts by Ceiba Flava and Pat Boy, who will perform songs from his latest album. The closing ceremony will feature “interdisciplinary surprises” created by the participants themselves.
This year, the festival adds new spaces for community participation, such as the First Soccer Tournament by the Nachi Cocom Mayan Cultural Center team and the traditional “Mercadito de Artesanías y Alimentos” (Handicrafts and Food Market), which promotes the local economy with the participation of artisans and cooks from Sotuta.
Organized since 2017 by Mixbaal A.C. and the Nachi Cocom Mayan Cultural Center, the Lu’um Puksi’ik’al Festival has established itself as a platform for artistic training, biocultural heritage conservation, and community strengthening. All activities are free and open to the public. The full program can be found at www.lpkfestival.com and on the project’s social media channels.
The post Lu’um Puksi’ik’al Festival in Sotuta Celebrates Youth Creativity and Mayan Culture first appeared on The Yucatan Times.