On October 12, 2025, Guatemala’s First National Meeting of “Conviteros” transformed the streets of the Centro Histórico into a vibrant celebration of cultural identity, as over 3,000 performers from 67 groups representing 14 departments paraded with colorful costumes, traditional dances, and festive music to honor the country’s rich heritage. More details with our correspondent Santiago Boton. teleSUR
00:00In Guatemala, more than 3,000 dancers participated in the first national meeting of Conviteros
00:07organized by the government.
00:09The celebration coincided with Indigenous Resistance Day and was therefore denounced
00:12as a folkloric destruction by farmer organizations.
00:16Santiago was on with the details.
00:21More than 3,000 Conviteros from 14 departments of Guatemala
00:25transformed the historic center into a spectacle of color and tradition.
00:30It is the first meeting of Conviteros convened by the Ministry of Culture.
00:37All of you, the plepul, are bringing us a crucial part of our culture
00:41and daily life of the diverse peoples of our Guatemala.
00:48The Conviteros are masked dancers, and their dance is intangible cultural heritage.
00:55Despite this recognition, it is easy to forget that each mask, also hides a history of oppression and conflict.
01:05We come from the Axel region.
01:07We were victims of the armed conflict that took place.
01:11We were part of the violence that was experienced.
01:14Our rights were violated at that time.
01:15Amidst the colorful celebrations, a peasant march emerged denouncing a racist state
01:24that seeks to bury the day of Indigenous Resistance, with a folkloric distraction.
01:29The protesters said,
01:30We are happy to do this today, and that it is being done by people who are aware of the significance of this day for Indigenous peoples, and for the social movement.
01:40The protesters pointed out that the government is trying to disguise the harsh reality facing Indigenous peoples while celebrations are being held.
01:58Peasant organizations are being threatened with thousands of eviction and arrest warrants.
02:02Violent evictions continue in the communities of Alta de la Paz, Petén, and other regions of our country.
02:14Peasant organizations closed the first meeting of Conviteros with the demand for respect for collective rights violated since the Spanish invasion of Abayala.
02:22Santiago Botón, Telesur, Ciudad de Guatemala.
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