Mara Lezama Celebrates Mayan Craftsmanship in Cancún

Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa recently presented awards to the talented artisans of the VII State Textile Contest “Chuuy K’ Kaab” and the XXVII State Craft Contest “Let my hands tell you”. The ceremony took place at the Casa de la Cultura in Cancún.

The National Fund for the Promotion of Crafts (FONART) and the Institute of Culture and the Arts supported the event. The winners included 18 craftswomen and one craftsman from various communities in the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Lázaro Cárdenas, Tulum, and José María Morelos.

Additionally, 20 craftswomen and five craftsmen from the communities of X-Pichil, Kopchén, San Juan de Dios, and the municipalities of Solidaridad, Tulum, and Othón P. Blanco were honored at the XXVII State Crafts Contest "Let my hands tell you".

Governor Lezama acknowledged the rich history and heritage behind each crafted piece. She emphasized that each technique, design, and color used in these crafts is a part of the grand Mayan identity.

She also expressed appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the artisans. She spoke of the government's plans to promote and sell these works of art in tourist locations such as Bacalar, Chetumal, Cancún, Tulum, Holbox, as well as in Wellness Markets and Maya Train stops.

Governor Lezama reaffirmed her commitment to supporting Mayan craftswomen. She has previously promoted their work in the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, and even in the Vatican.

Lilian Villanueva Chan, the director of the Institute of Culture and the Arts, thanked Governor Lezama for her continued support of local artisans. She also announced that the artisans were being awarded a total of 300 thousand pesos in prize money.

The award ceremony was attended by notable figures including the municipal president of Benito Juárez, Ana Paty Peralta de la Peña; the honorary president of the DIF Quintana Roo System, Verónica Lezama Espinosa; and the Secretary of Economic Development, Paúl Carrillo de Cáceres. They were joined by beneficiaries of the craft contests, Casimira Arana Pech and Addy Flor Matos Chuc.