Over six days, Panama will host more than 80 outstanding representatives of literature, journalism, cinema, music, and science from 18 Latin American nations, solidifying the isthmus as a stage for living culture.
Claudia Neira Bermúdez, the director of the organization, stated in the third person that the decision to repeat Panama as a cultural destination is based on its rich history, strategic connectivity, and the growing interest of its citizens in literature.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, highlighted that this event allows for the projection of Panamanian stories and diversity, strengthening the essential creative ties of the cultural fabric of Latin America.
«We are pleased that Panama has once again been chosen as a cultural center,» stated Claudia Neira Bermúdez. «This is a recognition of our heritage, our geographical position, and our passion for literature».
Venues and novelties in Colón
One of the main innovations of this year is the start of activities in the city of Colón on May 18.
Panama and Colón will host the Centroamérica Cuenta Festival in May 2025. This is the region's most important literary event, bringing together voices from 18 countries to dialogue about literature, cinema, gastronomy, and sports in various venues across the country.
The festival expands its usual theme to include dialogues on creative gastronomy, urbanism, cultural tourism, and science, with the participation of Mexican neuroscientist Jesús Ramírez Bermúdez.
The program also contemplates spaces for the analysis of football and the strategic role of the Panama Canal.
Among the confirmed figures, names of world relevance stand out, such as Sergio Ramírez (Nicaragua), Gioconda Belli (Nicaragua), Fernanda Melchor (Mexico), Eduardo Sacheri (Argentina), Pilar Quintana (Colombia), and former Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís, among others.
Strategic alliances and grand finale
The closing of the Centroamérica Cuenta Festival will feature a high-level dialogue between Panamanian singer-songwriter Rubén Blades and Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz, who will explore the various ways of narrating the human reality through song and the novel.
The agenda will be complemented by poetry readings accompanied by live music in a vinyl format.
This edition is possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and global partners such as the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (Aecid), the European Union, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).
Activities will be open to the public until capacity is reached at venues such as the City of the Arts, the Canal Museum, the National Library Ernesto J. Castillero R., and the universities of Panama and Santa María La Antigua (USMA).
The Center for Art and Culture of Colón (CACCO) will be the setting for literary workshops, children's events, and a gastronomic workshop led by renowned Panamanian chef Mario “Maito” Castrellón.
