The Ministry of Culture of Peru announced on Mar. 30 the official submission of the candidacy file for the Marinera, including its traditional regional forms of dance, music, and song, to be considered for inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This initiative aims to promote and highlight the different variants of the marinera that are still practiced throughout Peru. The ministry said it also seeks to recognize the work of dancers, composers, musicians, singers, and traditional artisans involved with this cultural expression.
According to officials, the candidacy was first presented virtually on March 12. On March 27, Minister of Culture Soraya Altabás delivered a physical copy to Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela for formal transmission to UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The Permanent Delegation of Peru at UNESCO then completed the official submission process before UNESCO’s Secretariat for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
The preparation process took place between 2024 and 2026 under Supreme Decree No. 003-2023-MC. Authorities worked with practitioners from ten regions: Áncash, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Piura, Puno and San Martín.
UNESCO is expected to evaluate Peru’s application during 2027 with a final decision anticipated in December that year. Currently Peru has thirteen elements listed by UNESCO as part of its intangible cultural heritage—the highest number in Latin America—including ceviche practices (2023) and Sarawja music and dance from Moquegua (2025).
The ministry noted that “the marinera was the first manifestation declared National Cultural Heritage on January 30th in 1986.” Additionally,” every October 7 is celebrated as Marinera Day by Law No.29921.”
