Peruvian children may be some of the most celebrated and cherished children in the world. They have three holidays dedicated to them each year, one of which is Dia del Niño Peruano (Day of the Peruvian Child), held every second Sunday of April.
The holiday was enacted into law back in 2002, following the 1989 UN convention on the Rights of the Child. The convention “[became] the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history,” meant to protect children and their childhoods. It also established an international day to honor the world’s children on November 20th.
In Peru more specifically, the holiday is meant to serve as a reminder to adults and greater Peruvian society to “defend [children’s] rights, promote [good] values and guide [them] towards the construction of a better society,” as El Gobierno writes. Furthermore, the holiday “seeks to rescue the country’s native identity by paying tribute to its most vulnerable members,” while honoring the uniqueness of Peruvian children’s identities.
To honor the holiday, which fell on April 10th of this year, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture invited children of all ages to watch and listen to the Trujillo Symphony Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica de Trujillo, OST) play for free at La Casa de la Identidad Regional Trujillana (The Trujillo Regional House of Identity). The event marked a special moment for all given that the pandemic moved the majority of the orchestra’s concerts online.
The location of the event was also symbolic. La Casa de la Identidad Regional Trujillana was the last and first home of Peru’s viceroyalty and republic respectively, representing a significant and historic transition for the nation. At one point, the house also served as a college. Today, the house serves as a cultural institution where the community can gather and participate in events that celebrate Peruvian culture and emphasize pride in the local department of La Libertad.
By hosting an opportunity for the nation’s children to interact with the arts in a space that encapsulates history, education, and cultural pride, the Peruvian Ministry of culture is investing in a bright future for the nation, which is to say, its kids. El Dia del Niño Peruano is a perfect reminder and celebratory event for the children who will grow up to become the next generation of Peruvian leaders, artists, musicians, and keepers of national cultural pride.
But while parents, guardians, and government leaders await the moment the nation’s children grow up to fill their shoes, they will pay homage to their childhoods to the fullest extent. Now, Peru’s children look forward to the next Dia del Niño in August, and after that, the international Day of the Child in November; fitting celebrations and recognitions of the importance and happiness of childhood.
Fernanda Ponce | University of ChicagoFernanda Ponce is an undergraduate student studying Critical Race & Ethnic Studies at the University of Chicago. As the proud first generation Mexican American daughter of immigrants, Fernanda strives to enrich her knowledge of Latin America to better understand global, cultural, and socio-historical ties to the region. Through her writing, Fernanda hopes to further deepen her relationships with individuals and communities and respectfully share their stories with a wider audience to build greater understanding, appreciation, and connection with each other.
