How 40 Artisans Are Keeping Quintana Roo’s Traditions Alive

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa recognized the talent, creativity and commitment of those who keep Quintana Roo’s traditions alive by presenting awards to the winning artisans of the “IX State Competition of Embroidery and Drawn Thread Work Chuuy K' Káab 2026” and the “XXIX State Competition of Quintana Roo Handicrafts Let My Hands Tell You 2026.”

Lezama presented state awards to Addy Flor Matos Chuc for her work in the Chuuy K' Káab competition and to Camila Morales Martínez in Let My Hands Tell You, who demonstrated that talent and dedication contribute to preserving and renewing Quintana Roo’s popular art.

During the awards ceremony, the Governor emphasized that it is always a source of pride to wear garments crafted with such talent by Quintana Roo’s artisans every day. She affirmed that she will continue to promote the work of these artisans, as she is currently doing with President Claudia Sheinbaum and federal secretaries.

“And I am very pleased to do so, because for the first time a profession that you practice and have learned over the years is being made visible,” the Governor said.

Mara Lezama also presented an award to master Juan Cimá Barzón for more than three decades of experience in wood carving and his invaluable contribution to the preservation of the memory and identity of the Mayan people.

During the event, held at the Javier Rojo Gómez Central Public Library in Chetumal, 40 awards were presented corresponding to two calls for entries that promote the participation of women and men from different communities, whose work represents the richness of the techniques, materials, creativity and knowledge that give identity to Quintana Roo.

The awards ceremony recognized 19 artisans who benefited from the embroidery and drawn thread work contest, as well as 21 from the state crafts competition, from municipalities and communities such as Felipe Carrillo Puerto, José María Morelos, Othón P. Blanco, Bacalar, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos and Tulum, among others.

In addition to the Director of Culture and the Arts, Lilian Villanueva Chan, who welcomed the award-winning artisans, those present at the event included the head of SEMUJERES, Esther Burgos Jiménez; Deputy Saulo Aguilar Bernés, representing the State Congress; and Melissa Verduzco Flores, Secretary General of the Othón P. Blanco City Council, representing Mayor Yensunni Martínez Hernández.