Honduran Government Invests Over L. 132.8 Million in Culture and Heritage Under President Xiomara Castro
Over the past four years, the Government of President Xiomara Castro has invested more than L. 132.8 million in culture and heritage, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening national identity, protecting cultural expressions, and recognizing culture as a fundamental right and a driver of development in Honduras.
In line with the Government Plan, which prioritizes the appreciation of the country’s diverse peoples and traditions, a total of L. 132,898,398.45 has been allocated to the cultural and heritage sector during the administration.
A key milestone of this effort was the creation of the Secretariat of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage of the Peoples of Honduras (SECAPPH). Through this institution, the Honduran State launched strategic actions for the preservation, conservation, and promotion of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, supported by the establishment of the General Directorate of Cultures and Heritage and a team of specialized technical staff.
Revitalizing Cultural Infrastructure
Significant resources were directed toward reversing years of neglect in cultural infrastructure. The government invested L. 26.8 million in conservation and improvements of cultural assets, along with an additional L. 5.5 million for project supervision.
Among the most notable restorations are the National Theatre Manuel Bonilla, which received nearly L. 40 million, and the Nicolás Avellaneda Theatre, restored with an investment of more than L. 31.6 million after not being intervened since 1992. The rehabilitation of the Old Customs House of La Ceiba, now functioning as a House of Culture, was completed with an investment of L. 28.5 million, fulfilling a long-standing commitment dating back to 2009.
Expansion of Houses of Culture Nationwide
By 2025, the National Network of Houses of Culture has grown to 51 active centers across the country, a dramatic recovery from the decline experienced in previous years. These spaces primarily benefit children and adolescents, offering cultural programming that fosters values, social connection, and artistic development.
Strengthening Identity, Inclusion, and Gender Equity
SECAPPH has also advanced the recognition and visibility of the identities, languages, worldviews, and historical memory of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples. A gender-focused approach has been incorporated across initiatives, highlighted by the active participation of 31 women in organizing the Guancasco Festival in Intibucá, as well as their leadership in community cultural practices in departments such as Copán.
Efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage have included the publication of ethnographic and ethnological materials developed in coordination with communities. These publications range from folklore dance manuals and traditional clothing catalogs to children’s literature and fanzines documenting ancestral artisanal practices.
The government has also promoted ancestral musical, dance, and cultural expressions by providing materials for traditional attire and strengthening cultural groups in departments including Colón, Cortés, and Atlántida.
Supporting the Creative Economy
As part of its commitment to the creative economy, SECAPPH invested L. 348,010.50 to support the artisanal production and organizational capacity of Garífuna, Lenca, and Maya Ch’ortí women. These funds were used to acquire materials and tools essential for producing crafts that reflect and preserve cultural identity.
Through these actions, the administration of President Xiomara Castro positioned culture as a pillar of social cohesion, economic opportunity, and historical memory—underscoring its role in building a more inclusive and culturally rooted Honduras.
Latina Republic is a nonprofit organization dedicated to telling the stories that shape Latin America and the Caribbean. Our cultural coverage highlights heritage, arts, identity, and community-driven initiatives—from archaeology and Indigenous knowledge to contemporary cultural expression—placing culture at the center of social memory, resilience, and regional transformation.
