by the El Reportero’s news services
Recognized film makers as the Peruvian Claudia Llosa and actors of diverse origins as the French Audrey Tautou participate today in the opening of the 65 Edition of the Film Festival of Berlin.
The American director Darren Aronofsky will preside the jury of the contest that begins this Thursday with the projection of the most recent movie of the Spanish Elizabeth Coixet, Nobody wants the night, starred by a luxurious cast: Juliette Binoche, Rinko Kikuchi and Gabriel Byrne.
The official section of the festival of 2015 has 19 applicants to the Bear, icon of its award, and among the competitors there are: a Chilean-Spanish-French documentary directed by Patricio Guzmán, El Botón de Nácar, and other of Pablo Larraín, El Club.
The last Latin American tape that won a golden Bear (the most prestigious award granted in the Festival) was La Teta Asustada (2009), of the Peruvian Llosa, member of the jury in the present edition.
Film makers of Iran, France, Japan, Viet Nam and China complete the selection of this appointment that will be provided with the presence of important stars of the big screen such as Christian Bale, Natalie Portman and Fail Blanchett.
The Panorama section of the Festival will count on productions from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Chile, according to organizers of the well-known Berlinale.
The Panorama section is the second one more important of the festival, that this year will include movies of Morocco, Palestine, the United States, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Iran, Greece, Russia, Lithuania, Holland, France and Taiwan.
Marimba to be declared Cultural Heritage of America
The Organization of American States (OAS) will declare Guatemalan marimba (variety of xylophone) Americas Cultural Heritage for the world on February 12, said the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
According to the official statement, the declaration will be issued at OAS headquarters in Washington DC, in the United States, during a solemn ceremony to honor that Guatemalan instrument and national symbol.
OAS awards this recognition to cultural expressions that best represent the heritage of American countries.
Two well-known marimba groups are expected to perform in the ceremony to offer a concert of iconic pieces of Guatemalan and Latin American repertoire.
“The marimba sounds like Guatemalans: with a sad joy”, said Guatemalan Valentina Santa Cruz.
The Congress declared the marimba national symbol in 1999, after assessing its historical, cultural, artistic and traditional values.
The Ministry of Education is required to teach the instrument in public and private schools under the 31-99 decree.
It was also agreed in the decree the celebration of the Marimba Day every February 20th in Guatemala.
