As part of the Fiesta Grande de Enero (January Festival), the State Council for Culture and the Arts (Coneculta) held the awards ceremony at the Ex-Convento Santo Domingo Cultural Center for the 73rd Lacquerware Competition, the 29th Wood Carving Competition, the 53rd Traditional Mask Competition, and the 19th Traditional Embroidery and Clothing Competition. The purpose of the awards was to recognize and promote the talent of Chiapas artisans.
In this 2026 edition, organized by the State Government in coordination with various institutions, a total of 375,000 pesos was awarded, distributed among 11 first-place prizes, 11 second-place prizes, 11 third-place prizes, and nine honorable mentions, encouraging the continuation of traditional techniques and artisanal creation.
The Director General of Coneculta, Angélica Altuzar Constantino, emphasized that these competitions strengthen the preservation of age-old practices and dignify artisanal work. She also acknowledged the support of Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar and the inter-institutional collaboration with the Chiapa de Corzo City Council, the Chiapas House of Handicrafts Institute, and Fomento Cultural Banamex, A.C.
In this regard, Dulce María Rodríguez Ovando, Secretary General of Governance and Mediation, representing Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar, affirmed that he is a great ally of the identity of our state and of living traditions. She also recognized the work of the men and women who dedicate themselves to this craft, stating that “the pieces they create are inspiring; wherever we go, we know that Chiapas is present.”
The judging panel, comprised of specialists in folk art, evaluated the technical quality, cultural value, and aesthetic merit of the pieces. The results of the competition can be found at www.conecultachiapas.gob.mx
The exhibition and sale of the winning works will be held from January 24 to 31 at the Ex-Convento Santo Domingo Cultural Center in Chiapa de Corzo.
Later, Dulce Rodríguez Ovando, Angélica Altuzar Constantino, and the mayor of Chiapa de Corzo, Límbano Domínguez Román, enjoyed the traditional naval battle, a spectacle that illuminated the Grijalva River. For the first time, the Chiapas Symphony Orchestra participated, performing Mexican music such as “Tarima de Fuego,” “Sobre las Olas,” “Latir de América,” and traditional pieces from the state. The multicolored lights gave new meaning to this celebration, and the live music became the heart of the spectacle, enhancing the fireworks and reaffirming the cultural richness and pride of Chiapas.
Source: diariodechiapas
