THE MIRACLES OF PACHAMAMA

A weekend in the sign of the Andean culture, and the key role that the coca leaf plays in it

17 & 18 June 2011

T Klooster – Ploegstraat 25 & 27 – Antwerp

In honour of Mario Gutierrez, Bolivian musician, who passed away in Antwerp in 1994 and is buried here.

Programme

Friday 17 june

Exposition of artwork by Fabiola Alvarez Arias (Ecuador), Rocio Forero B. and Jorge Paniura (Peru)

19.00 Southamerican Dinner

21.00 ‘Laberinto Verde’ (Abel Kavanagh, Amaru Durand Mitre, 2011, 82’)

A documentary about the coca issue in Bolivia and Peru. The coca leaf, a gift from Pachamama – Mother Earth, is in the centre of important geopolitical changes in South America.

Afterwards: debate with Abel Kavanagh.

Saturday 18 June

Inauguration of the event: Chaska Eugenia Carlos Rios, representative of the Association of Mountain peoples of the World (Peru)

14.00 ART WITH TEXTILES, Andean fashion show

15.00 Debate: Can the coca leaf save the world?

Moderator: Walter Lotens (journalist, Belgium)

The coca leaf, “gift of Pachamama – Mother Earth”, symbol of Andean Culture, whose traditional consumption dates back to more than 5.000 years ago, has become the target of the war against production and trafficking of cocaine. During more than 30 years, this war has generated violent confrontations, environmental destruction and corruption among authorities. Recently, the Bolivian government, under the leadership of ‘cocalero’ president Evo Morales, has started a campaign to request the international rehabilitation of the coca leaf and its traditional uses. It is time for a sincere answer from Europe.

During the event, the establishment was announced of an association of “Friends of the Coca Leaf“. In this association, Andean people who reside in Europe and Europeans who love the coca leaf in its natural state can join forces. The goal will be to establish a fair trade system to commercialise (organically grown) coca leaves and their traditional derivates in Europe. The initiative will be presented as a contribution to the fight against cocaine: the goal is to create a legal alternative for coca growers, and at the same time show European citizens the way that coca leaf should be consumed.

17.00 Music by Pueblo de Colores, Perú

18.00 Sartañani dance group, Bolivia

Typical Andean plates, drinks, exposition of paintings, information stands

Organisation: Encod, Koevoet, Latinamerican Federation.

With the support of the city of Antwerp.

Contact: Joep Oomen, tel. +32 495 122 644

Photos: © Derrick Bergman / G0NZ0 Media

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