Marco Antonio Mercado, Director of Tourism and Cultural Promotion for the Governor’s Office, affirmed that the Afro-Bolivian Saya represents identity, history, and an opportunity for development for the communities of the Yungas region, and therefore will receive the corresponding support in its candidacy before the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Juan Carlos Ballivian, representative of the Afro-Bolivian community, affirmed that National Afro-Bolivian Saya Day, declared on June 29, should be consolidated as a permanent day of reaffirmation and safeguarding of Afro-Bolivian cultural heritage.

“All State institutions are called upon to take safeguarding actions to defend this heritage,” Ballivian added, emphasizing the importance of preserving the authenticity of its instruments, clothing, music, and dance.

Departmental Assemblyman Jaime Flores remembered that Law No. 1559 of April 17, 2024, declared June 29 as the National Day of the Living Artistic and Cultural Expression of the Afro-Bolivian Saya.

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