During the month of November, the month of the “Fiestas Patrias," various activities are carried out all over the country to commemorate historical dates with high patriotic significance. Within these celebrations, all the schools in the country organize cultural events to join in.
The Panamanian Cultural Week is considered one of the most distinguished projects held annually at the Metropolitan School of Panama. Since opening in 2011, every November the MET family joins in the celebrations, dedicating a week to learning about the customs and traditions of Panama, where all members of our educational community have the opportunity to participate in interesting workshops and a folkloric gala, paying tribute to the host country.
This year, due to the circumstances, our Panamanian Cultural Week was celebrated virtually, from November 23 to 27. Our aim was to highlight the main contributions of Panamanians in areas such as medicine, technology, and education, and to demonstrate solidarity during the pandemic.
Prominent Panamanian scientists took part; a group who have contributed to the fight against COVID 19 with hard work and tenacity. Among them, we can mention Drs. Sandra Pérez (Virologist), Mairim Solís (mesenchymal cells), Ricardo Aguilar (research with convalescent plasma), and Alicia Torres (study of respirators made in Panama).
In the area of technology, Captain Rainiero Salas, a Panama Canal pilot, shared his experience in the logistics of handling ships with patients infected with COVID; Christian Schwartz and Yeorleny Saavedra, on Panama's contribution to global logistics during the pandemic.
Important exponents of Panamanian culture such as Alfredo Hidrovo, Jean Decort, Edwar “Chakatín” Castillo, Mayra Rowe and Hugo Víctor Rodríguez could not be absent from our program. Through interactive workshops they demonstrated that even in times of contingencies, we are able to reinvent ourselves, fulfill our dreams and continue building our homeland.
Additionally and no less important, MET high school students, teachers of Spanish, music and drama, were the protagonists of a great "virtual" folkloric gala, making a difference and demonstrating that in this international school with more than 45 nationalities, and even during a pandemic at a distance of a click, Panama is honored.
Long live Panama! Que Viva Panamá!
Indira Acosta
Academic Director
