Bolivian President Attends Gran Poder Festival, Calls for National Unity

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira participated in the Gran Poder festival in La Paz, highlighting the event's significance as an expression of faith, identity, and national unity. Addressing attendees from the official box, accompanied by his daughter and the Minister of Defense, Ernesto Justiniano, the president recalled his 32-year history as a dancer in the folkloric celebration.

Paz Pereira, who previously danced in the festival for decades, including in 2024, urged the country to move past internal divisions. "We must never block ourselves again. We will move forward, but we must all work together," he stated. He emphasized the importance of culture, calling it "the heart and the energy of the renewal of the Homeland," and expressed confidence in Bolivia's strength and resilience.

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Thirty-two years I danced folklore: for fifteen years I danced caporales and then pure morenada. The year before last (2024) I still danced in Gran Poder. Blessings to the whole country, much strength. Culture is the heart and the energy of the renewal of the Homeland. Bolivia never gives up, it is always standing, always with strength and we will move forward.

The Gran Poder festival, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, commenced with a religious procession followed by the official parade. This year's event saw over 130,000 dancers and musicians from 74 folkloric groups. The celebration proceeded despite a significant delay; it was rescheduled due to 53 days of road blockades that recently affected the country. The festival is expected to continue throughout the day and into the early hours of Sunday.

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We must never block ourselves again. We will move forward, but we must all work together.