Archive for July, 2006
Once again Lima will turn into the epicentre of Latin American cinema (from August, 3rd to 12th), when some of the finest films and moviemakers of the region compete in the 10th edition of Lima’s ElCine Festival.
Organized by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, the present edition of the festival displays an extraordinary program, with three official competitions: Films, First Films, and Documentaries.
15 Films from 6 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Cuba, and Peru) contend the festival’s Film award. Argentina is the most represented country, with 6 films in competition.
Last year’s 9th edition of the festival was a big success of both public and critics. The winners were:
Best Movie (Audience Award): “El matrimonio de Romeo y Julieta” de Bruno Barreto (Brazil)
Best Movie (Critics Award): “Batalla en el cielo” de Carlos Reygadas (Mexico)
Best First Movie: “Temporada de Patos” de Fernando Eimbcke (Mexico)
Best Documentary: “Soy Cuba, el mamut siberiano” de Vicente Ferraz (Brazil)
Some of the best and most remembered Latin American films of the last few years have been awarded in Lima’s Festival. Some include “El hijo de la novia” by Juan José Campanella, “Martín Hache” by Adolfo Aristarain, “Ciudad de Dios” by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund, and “Nueve Reinas” by the recently disappeared director, Fabián Bielinsky.
For further information check ElCine Film Festival Website.
July 28th, 2006
Peru celebrates its Independence today, Friday, July 28th.
And this year, an election year in Peru, Alan García, elected last June as Peru’s new president, will take charge in a ceremony to be held in Lima. Leaders from Latin America (including Brazil’s president Ignazio Lula Da Silva) and other regions (most notably Felipe, Prince of Spain) are arriving for Garcia’s presidential inauguration. Some news coverage by BBC, CNN.
July 28th, 2006
The Haywariquy or Offering Ceremony takes place in the Korikancha esplanade on the eve of July 28th. Celebrated every year by the Incas, the ceremony’s aim was to honour Pachamama (Mother Earth, in Quechua) with the offering of various goods, as well as to invoke better times for the empire.
The current representation is an amazing nocturnal show featuring ritual dances, music, artificial fires and luminous effects.
Thursday, July 27. For reservations contact EMUFEC (Calle Santa Catalina Ancha 333, Phone 084-244504)
July 20th, 2006
Although gastronomy has always been, since the days of the Spanish viceroyalty, an essential aspect of life in Peru’s Capital, the last few years have seen a huge leap in Lima’s dining scene. Not only it is tapped with restaurants, both sophisticated and low-key, but many of them seem to be at full capacity Monday through Sunday.
The boom has persuaded many restaurant owners to open abroad, a tactic that has often proved successful, as in the case of chef Gastón Acurio’s Astrid & Gaston, recently considered the best restaurant in Santiago de Chile.
One possible explanation for the boom, besides obvious food quality, is international recognition. The Economist magazine, for example, reported in 2004 that Peru could “lay claim to one of the world’s dozen or so great cuisines”. Norman Van Aken, one of Florida’s most gifted chefs, acknowledged that Peruvian cuisine was possibly the most enticing of those he had studied. And Patrick Martin, academic director of Le Cordon Blue, said that one of the reasons for having a branch of the school in Lima was the excellent quality of local cuisine.
“Better late than never”, believe most Limeños, increasingly proud of the exceptionality of their gastronomic heritage. However, notwithstanding general contentment, they are still demanding and hard-to-please, and expect the best from their favourite restaurants and chefs. This, too, contributes to gastronomic excellence. Indeed Peruvian cuisine, though hardly noticed abroad until most recently, is one of the World’s most varied and delicious.
Two aspects converge to give Peruvian cuisine an uniqueness that few other enjoy. The first is Peru’s enormous biodiversity. The country is home to some 80 types of the world’s 104 different biological zones, which assures an amazing assortment of fresh ingredients. Potatoes and hot peppers from the Andes, fish and seafood from the Pacific Ocean, mangoes and limes from the coastal valleys, bananas and manioc from the Amazon jungle: a chef’s only problem is abundance of choice.
Second, Peruvian cuisine is the quintessence of cultural fusion. Ever since the first blending between Inca and Spanish traditions, local cooks have been capable of incorporating the flavours and techniques of the many immigrants that disembarked in the country’s ports, in particular African, Chinese, and Japanese.
Although the restaurant offer in Lima is most varied and covers a wide range of cuisines, both regional and international, ceviche is surely number one on the list of dishes you must taste. There is at least one cevichería in every neighbourhood, so it won’t be hard to find one. Our suggestion goes to superb Pescados Capitales, a lunch-only cevicheria in Miraflores.
A second must goes to Asian cuisine, both Chinese and Japanese, which, predictably, has a strong Peruvian influence. Chifas -that is, Chinese restaurants-, which can be counted by the hundreds, are usually down-to-earth neighbourhood eateries, offering a fare rich in seafood and chicken. Japanese restaurants and sushi bars, on the contrary, are less widespread, and more upscale and expensive. Their forte is, of course, a year-round supply of the freshest and most variegated seafood, which is delightfully transformed into sushi, sashimi, and rolls. Our favourites are Wa Lok for Chinese, and Matsuei (where Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, Nobu’s chef and owner, perfected his skills) for Japanese.
A few Tips for Dining in Lima
Most of the best restaurants in Lima are located in Miraflores, though some are to be found in San Isidro, Surco, and Barranco. Although most restaurants aren’t usually crowded during weekdays, it’s a good idea to make reservations for Fridays and Saturdays. Limeños tend to have dinner a bit late for North American and European standards, between 9pm and 10pm. While food is most reasonably priced -at least compared to North American and European standards- wine is still quite expensive in Lima, specially imported bottles. Nothing to worry about: beer is the ideal drink for Ceviche, Criollo, Chinese and Japanese fares.
July 20th, 2006
The 11th edition of Lima’s International Book Fair promises interesting surprises and many renowned writers. Argentina, the guest country, will bring almost a dozen of writers, among which Maitena, Martín Caparrós, and Jorge Luis Borge’s widow, María Kodama. Other renowned literary figures that have confirmed their presence include Colombian novelist Jorge Franco, Spanish world-class editor Jorge Herralde, and Mexican novelist Jorge Volpi.
The fair starts this Thursday, July 20th and closes after 10 days. It’s held in the Jockey Plaza (Av. Javier Prado Este cdra. 42, Lima 33) and the entrance is almost free: 1 Sol (around 0.25 dollars).
July 17th, 2006
Based in the Inca city of Cusco, the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo (Qosqo Centre for Native Art) is the most important institution dedicated to preserve and cultivate the folkloric music and dances of the Peruvian Andes.
Founded in 1924, its cast counts 70 artists among musicians and dancers. As a result of an ongoing cultural research that spans over 80 years, the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo has collected more than 50 original dances and 100 songs. These come from the cities and rural communities of the Andes, and depict the live and traditions of both Cusqueños and the peoples of other Andean provinces.
There are two daily presentations, at 7pm and 8.30pm, held in the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo (Av. Sol 604, Phone 084-227901).
July 12th, 2006
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Traditional masks in Paucartambo
(Photo Mylene D Auriol/PromPerú) |
The Virgen del Carmen festivity -known locally as Mamacha Carmen- is a perfect example of the syncretism between Spanish Catholicism and Inca culture. Thousands of devotees celebrate all day and night long in many towns in the Cusco department, though the most well-know festivity takes place in Paucartambo, a 4-hour ride from Cusco.
Mamacha Carmen, patron saint of the mestizos, is accompanied through the procession by dance companies in richly decorated costumes. There are musicians playing Andean instruments and a choir that sings in Quechua. On the central day, July 16th, the Virgin is carried through town for her to bless the attendants and scare away demons. After a simulated battle against, the parade heads towards the cemetery to render homage to the dead.
Though the main day is the 16th, you could reach Paucartambo a couple of days earlier to see the preparations. It’s a good idea to book an accommodation in advance. If you go, don’t miss in the spectacular sunrise from Tres Cruces viewpoint (make sure to wear warm clothes because it gets pretty cold up there).
July 10th, 2006
PromPerú, Peru’s board for the promotion of Tourism, has recently launched a nice culinary website: Perú, Mucho Gusto (which translates in something like “Peru, much pleasure”).
It features an introduction to Peru’s different regional cuisines, information regarding a few typical dishes, and some very appealing photographs. The Spanish version is currently more comprehensive, and includes a essential list of the main ingredients found in Peruvian dishes.
July 10th, 2006
