The Russian Geographical Society took part in the Festival of Latin American and Caribbean Culture, which is taking place in the Hermitage Garden in Moscow. The experts from the RGS Aleksey Khovanov, Yulia Grabar, and Pavel Bersnev gave several engrossing lectures. Before that, everyone could compete for prizes from the RGS in an educational quiz dedicated to Latin American and Caribbean states.
The topics of lectures by the Honorary Consul of Guatemala in St. Petersburg and Chairman of the RGS Commission for the Study of Latin American Countries were «Gaucho Culture» and «Guatemala — the Most Beautiful Country in Latin America». The audience learned about the historical heritage of the Maya and the influence of indigenous traditions on the modern life of Guatemalan society, as well as about the history and traditions of the Gaucho sub-ethnic group, which has become a symbol of Argentina.
«For me, gauchos are a real symbol of Argentina: their culture, dances, songs, cuisine! They formed the national spirit of freedom and independence of Argentina,» admitted Aleksey Khovanov.
A quiz from the Russian Geographical Society. Photo: Svetlana Vorobyova
Yulia Grabar, a member of the RGS and the Royal Geographical Society of Spain, author and presenter of programs at «Radio Rossii», spoke about the peculiarities of the architecture of the Spanish colonies in Latin America. The audience learned how different historical periods influenced the appearance of modern Latin American cities. The second lecture on «Territory of the Maya» was dedicated to the amazing people, whose achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture could be the envy of many civilizations.
Pavel Bersnev, an ethnographer, Candidate of Philosophy, member of the St. Petersburg Writers' Union, gave lectures «From the Aztecs to the Huichol — Myths and Rituals» and «Myths and Reality: Indigenous Peoples of South America». They became an interesting story about ancient cultures, religious rituals, and dispelled stereotypes about the life of the indigenous population of Latin American countries.
The quiz, organized and conducted by the RGS Commission for the Study of Latin American Countries, helped the festival guests to get to know the region better, learn about its historical and cultural heritage, and understand how different periods predetermined the modern life of the peoples inhabiting it.