Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Noche de Arte, the largest and most important event of Peruvian contemporary art, will take place this year from the third to the fifth of October. Fatima McKinley, wife of the Ambassador of the United States of America and president of USEA (Association of the American Embassy), kindly offered a few minutes from her busy schedule to talk to Living in Peru.

What is new in NOCHE DE ARTE 2008?
Noche de Arte this year offers many new things; the main one is that it will take place in one of the most important buildings in the city, which has a fantastic architecture. This building is the Puericultorio Pérez Araníbar, the exhibit will offer more than 600 pieces of art and will present 300 artists.  We will keep the family afternoon, which last year helped parents and children interact in the world of plastic art.

How do you feel people’s response to NOCHE DE ARTE is every year?
As you know, NOCHE DE ARTE has become one of the most important events in Peru, not only because it is the largest exhibit which promotes the modern Peruvian art, but also because it helps to raise funds for the needy.  It is marvelous to see how the generous people in this country collaborate with the event.

Where will the funds go to this year?
Well this year, the funds raised by USEA will go to two institutions which have a very important social task in this country. They are ALDIMI and the PUERICULTORIO PEREZ ARANIBAR.

Can you tell us a little bit about ALDIMI and the role it plays in society?
ALDIMI, is an association which is entirely self financed, it is not an NGO, nor belongs to the Peruvian government.  They offer help to the people who come from the provinces and do not have relatives in Lima.  They come to the city to receive cancer treatment, it is very painful to see how many people wait in lines to be able to receive chemotherapy, and many of them have to sleep on the aisles of the hospital. When some people noticed these inconveniences, ALDIMI was created. Without any cost, they receive these patients and offer them room and board, medical care, clothes and transportation.  The goal of NOCHE DE ARTE 2008 is to help them build the first floor of their own shelter, which is their wish.

How does USEA make this dream come true?
This event comes true thanks to the help of a human body filled with the generous spirit of the volunteers, the donation of the master pieces which are offered by well known artists in Lima and the surrounding areas, the support of the sponsors who year after year are with us and trust  in the event.

We hope to overcome last year´s expectations and we wish to invite everybody to spend three fantastic days full of art, magic and color.