Peruvian cuisine: cultural heritage of the Americas.

• Author: Ochoa, Gina
• Position: OAS

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In a ceremony to mark the official beginning of the Inter-American Year of Culture, the OAS declared Peruvian cuisine to be part of the "Cultural Patrimony of the Americas." The award was presented by OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza to the Peruvian Minister of Commerce and Tourism, Eduardo Ferreyros.

This recognition seeks to "highlight the cultural expressions that best represent the patrimony of the countries in the hemisphere," said Secretary General Insulza, who also expressed his satisfaction at being able to honor Peruvian gastronomy since "it has become a great ambassador and attraction for this beautiful country and continues to be a living representation of its cultural treasures."

"Cuisine," Insulza said, "is not just the sum of flavors and products; it is the reflection of the relationship that is born between human beings and their environment; between a person and his land, his history, his geography, his people; it is a reflection of the ties that individuals create with the fruits, colors, and customs of their land."

As he received the award, Minister Ferreyros recalled that Peru's cuisine has been "enriched throughout history with the culinary traditions of...