• Peruvian weavings.

• Lima, Jul. 17 (ANDINA). For fourth year in a row, Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC) gathers works of popular art in a new edition of Ruraq Maki –‘handmade’ in quechua– to be inaugurated today at the Museo de la Nacion.

  This fair aims to pay tribute to the cultural heritage on weavings showing the different representations of more than 50 communities of artists in the interior of the country.

  This year’s edition, Ruraq Maki will display ceramic works from Amazonas, San Martin and Junin regions. The first ones stand out for being elaborated exclusively by women, who will present the best of their production including pots, candlesticks, vases and flowerpots.

  According to Peru21.com, the free admission event will run until August 1st at the Museo de la Nacion, from Monday to Sunday from 10:00-19:00 hours.

Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=fxy/nKIcgIk=

• All the magic of Peru in just one place.

• Lima, Jul. 15 (ANDINA). The "Makiykumanta-Peru: Arts and Cultural Legacy Festival," a weeklong celebration of traditional Peruvian culture, opened Tuesday July 13 and runs through Sunday July 18 at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC.

  Native Peruvian art is among America's finest. It is expressed through music, dance, food, architecture, paintings, sculpture, carving, textiles, crafts in silver and others.

  Craftsmanship, in its variety of forms and styles, is the inheritance of thousands of years of Peruvian cultures. Ancient art and traditions are kept alive through generations and have inspired many artists over the entire geographic extension of Peru.

  Ceramics, silver jewelry, imagery, textiles woven from animal or vegetable fibers, sculpture, wood carving, stone and leather and paintings make up the principle expressions of popular art forms.
  
  Makiykumanta, (Quechua for “from our hands”) presents a week of Peruvian legacy with over 20 indigenous artisans presenting to the visitors the identity of Peru. This event will be a great opportunity to appreciate their splendid creations and take a souvenir with you.

  Makiykumanta is designed to build an interaction with the audience as it also features the celebration of culture with live music and dances, films, conferences, and Peruvian gastronomy so the visitor can explore the rich history and the legacy of the Land of the Incas.
  
  Visitors will also appreciate the dazzling performances from the amazing variety of the different regions of Peru showcased by each area’s colorful, authentic attire. Performances will feature interactive elements with the visitors.

• Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=5xF4zu/AY5E=

• Lima, Jul. 16 (ANDINA). Peru's Ministry for the Environment (MINAM) officially created its National Programme for the Conservation of Forests for the Mitigation of Climate Change on July 15th.

  "This is great news since, after Brazil, Peru is responsible for more of the Amazon rainforest than any other South American nation, and - with 72 million hectares of forest - it owns the fourth biggest area of tropical forest in the world," says Matthew Owen, Director of UK Charity Cool Earth which is developing an innovative and indigenous-led Peruvian-based avoided deforestation project.

  Peru has also been identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to biodiversity loss from climate change. This is partly because Peru has such an amazing wealth of biodiversity, particularly in its rainforest regions, but also due to a perceived trend towards an expanding agricultural frontier higher up into the cloud forest areas of the Andean foothills.

  As climate changes, higher altitudes become appropriate for cops previously unsuitable. This incentivises the clearing of upper montane forests, some of which contain massive stands of cedar and other valuable trees in pristine climax conditions, reads an article at coolearth.org.

  Although the creation of its National Programme for the Conservation of Forests for the Mitigation of Climate Change was expected and follows up on years of preparatory work, this announcement from the Peruvian government is further proof of its commitment to the UN's international and national level framework development for REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).

Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=yo0S7YkfUDI=

• Coffee grains. Photo: ANDINA/ Archivo.

• Lima, Jul. 14 (ANDINA). With 75000 certified cultivation hectares, Peru is the first producer country of organic coffee in the world, and has many opportunities to grow due to the high demand for this product in international markets, the president of the National Board of Coffee, Cesar Rivas Peña, said.

  He noted that its production is mainly in Chanchamayo, Satipo, San Martin, La Convencion, Sandia, Quillabamba, San Ignacio and Rodriguez de Mendoza regions, among others.

  The target markets for Peruvian organic coffee are the United States, Japan and the countries of the European Union, which get 99 percent of the production of this grain, the official said.

  He said other countries in the region like Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia produce organic coffee but in lower amounts that do not represent a risk for Peruvian production.

  He recalled that some months ago, the organic coffee produced in Sandia valleys was chosen as the world's best special coffee among 139 samples at the 22nd Annual Exposition & Symposium of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, which took place in the United States.

Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=A52jvAHOcAY=

• Viceminister of Transport and Communications, Jorge Luis Cuba Hidalgo. Photo: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama

• Lima, Jul. 14 (ANDINA). Some 40,000 new broadband connections a month are being reported in Peru, making it possible to meet the goal of one million connections by the end of 2010, said Wednesday Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC).
  

  “If connections continue growing at 30,000 or 40,000 a month, they will easily surpass one million by the end of the year,” said Peruvian Deputy Communications Minister Jorge Cuba Hidalgo. 

  With the current growth path, connections will continue to rise and will reach 1.3 million by 2011, he stated.

  Hidalgo referred that the goal of one million broadband connections by the end of 2010 was established in 2007.
  
  “We are close to meet this goal as broadband connections have totaled 900,000 so far this year,” he said.

  Hidalgo stated that Lima and other important cities of the country have the highest level of broadband growth as broadband infrastructure has developed further in these areas.

  The Multi-Sectorial Commission responsible of elaborating the Broadband National Development Plan would give its final proposal on July 20th in order to expand Peru's broadband connection services.
  
  Hidalgo opened today the XIII Summit of Regulators and Operators, organized by Peru's telecoms regulator Osiptel and which closes tomorrow in Lima.

Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=JS25AB3qaHY=

• Daybreak at Tres Cruces de Oro, between the provinces of Paucartambo (Cusco) and Manu (Madre de Dios). Photo: ANDINA / Percy Hurtado

• Paucartambo, Jul. 17 (ANDINA). As part of the festival in honor to the Virgen del Carmen, over 2000 local and foreign tourists enjoyed the daybreak, an amazing natural show due to the diversity of colors and shapes of sunrise in Tres Cruces de oro region, located between Paucartambo (Cusco) and Manu (Madre de Dios).

  Since early hours, people started their way to the place -two hours away from the province of Paucartambo- to appreciate this natural event.

  “Tourists waited anxiously for the sun to rise. The sun appeared at approximately 06:11 hours amazing all tourists who were watching such natural show for the first time,” the correspondent told Andina.

  Australian Sarah Perrej (25) and U.S. Anna Cajina (25) who were visiting Cusco for the first time described it as ‘incredible’.

• “We haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else in the world, we hope to come back with our parents so that they can see this natural event,” the tourists said.

Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=ty6TA9ggHKM=

• Peruvian farmers. Photo: ANDINA / Archive

• Lima, Jul. 16 (ANDINA). The German government donated 200 million euros for Peru's social development projects in poor rural areas, local press said on Thursday.

  The sum will be used on projects to develop water and sewage systems, promote rural development and preserve natural resources, among others.

  Christoph Muller, German ambassador to Peru, said the funds marked the largest financial aid Peru has ever received from his country, Xinhua reported.
  

• Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=0QCF1o1UtWE=

• The Colca Valley is located in southern Peru, province of Caylloma, Arequipa.

• Lima, Jul. 10 (ANDINA). Five new tourist routes will be opened in the Colca Valley in order to boost visits to this area and improve the quality of life in local communities.

  Initiatives will be undertaken as part of an interinstitutional agreement signed by Colca Autonomous Authority (AutoColca) and the GEA Group, aimed at supporting tourist micro-entrepreneurs, agro-producers and artisans.

  According to this agreement, a group of initiatives, strategies, plans, programs and projects will be designed and executed, including training in tourism management, infrastructure construction, among others.

  They also plan to involve local population into tourism sector to improve their incomes and ensure the sustainability of the activity.

  The new tourist routes include Callalli-Sibayo-Tuti-Canocota, Yanque-Maca-Achoma, Coporaque-Ichupampa-Lari-Madrigal, Cabanaconde-Tapay, and Toccra.

  Last year, the Colca Valley was visited by 146.000 tourists, and tourism sector generated US$10 million in revenues.

• Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=TIZUAXBMwUA=#

• Feria Expoalimentaria 2009.

• Lima, Jul. 12 (ANDINA). Peru is consolidating as a strategic food supplier for the world thanks to its microclimates, trade openness and privileged geographical location in South America to make businesses, said Alberto Infante, General Manager of the Peruvian Exporters Association (Adex).

  Peru has 84 out of the 114 existing life zones in the world to produce an unlimited variety of agroindustrial and fishery products all year round.

  Infante stated Peru has signed free trade agreements with main countries and commercial blocks such as United Sates, China, Singapore and the European Union, which allows it to introduce new products in these markets.

  "Peru's agriculture and aquaculture offer is multiplying making it necessary to look for new markets and bring buyers of the huge international chains,", he said to Andina.

  Over 700 food buyers from the five continents will arrive in Peru to attend Expoalimentaria 2010, September 22-24.

  Of all the international buyers, 40% come from South America, 29% from North America, 21% from Europe, 5% from Asia, 4% from Central America and 1% from Africa and Oceania.

  "International visitors are professioanl buyers who purchase their products from big chains such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Goya Foods. In 2009, the fair was expected to gather 100 buyers, but the number was 450. This year we expect to gather 700 buyers from the five continents," he said.

  Infante stated that Expoalimentaria 2010 will be a business plataform not only for Peru but for other Latin American countries as 300 national exhibitors and 100 international exhibitors, mainly form South America, will come to Lima, convinced that Peru is a hub in the world.
  
  Other activitites taking place with Expoalimentaria are the III International Convention of Organic Products, the V National Aquaculture Convention and II International Semianr on Fresh and Processed Fruit and Vegetables.
  
  "These are activities for which we bring many experts from the world, we want to be on the edge of technology, we want to know where the world is going and that is why we are making these additional activities that take us to the lead", he said.

• Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=NuKAO3U7z34=

• Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum. Photo:ANDINA/Archive/Vidal Tarqui.

• Lima, Jul. 10 (ANDINA). The department of Lambayeque -to the north of Lima- expects to welcome some 20,000 tourists, between local and foreign, during Peru’s Independence holidays, the Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Dircetur) estimated.

  Salvador Hoyos Pérez, head of the entity, indicated that tourists will arrive to the northern department to visit the museums, beautiful beaches and ecological reserves such as Chaparrí, Bosque de Pómac, as well as to try its varied gastronomy.

  He said that Monsefu’s Typical Cultural Exhibitions (Fexticum) Traditional Fair will be included as one of the attractions that Lambayeque offers during this season. The event will run from July 15 to August 1.

  In addition, the Second Contest of Artisan Bread -which aims to promote the work of Monsefu’s bakers- has been programmed in as part of Fexticum.

  Visitors will be able to enjoy the 2010 King Kong Festival to take place in the city of Chiclayo to promote this traditional dessert made with cookies filled with dulce de leche and fruit jams.

Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=RU/zQqGZGNE=

• VI National Contest of Special Coffees to be carried out for awarding Peruvian best bean. Photo: ANDINA/Jorge Paz

• Lima, Jul. 12 (ANDINA). Peru’s National Coffee Board (JNC), Peruvian Chamber of Coffee and Cacao, the Agriculture Ministry and the Alternative Development Program (PDA) today revealed details of the sixth Best Coffee National Competition that will award the best Peruvian bean.

  The announcement was made in a press conference on Monday at 11.00 hours at Sheraton hotel in Lima.

  The conference was attended by President of Peru's National Coffee Assembly (JNC) Cesar Rivas Peña and his counterpart from Peru Chamber of Coffee and Cacao Ricardo Huancaruna.

  PDA chief Michael Green, contest organizer Gracia Ampuero Estremadoyro and Agriculture Minister Adolfo de Cordova were also present at the conference. 

• Source: http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=LBISayWLDgs=