Royal Estates of the Incas

Thursday 15 October 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 13:30 EDT / 19:30 CEST )

Peter Frost, Writer & Photographer.

Machu Picchu was the personal property of an emperor, simply the most famous of many spectacular ruined palaces which survive to astound us in the former Inca heartland. These royal estates were enormous, combining multiple political, religious and economic functions – and they were also extraordinary works of landscape art and architecture, built amidst scenic mountain terrain which can still take our breath away. Peter Frost takes a look at some of these places and contemplates their role and meaning in the mighty Inca empire.

Peter has been exploring the Amazonian Andes for over 35 years, for which he’s published several notable books. Among other National Geographic Society expeditions, in 2001 and 2002 he led a group into the remote region of Vilcabamba, discovering the previously unknown Inca and pre-Inca site of Qoriwayrachina.

The Magic of Quinoa

Thursday 29 October 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 12:30 EST / 18:30 CET )

José Luis Lescano, Culinary Travel Expert

Long before quinoa became fashionable as a western superfood, quinoa was the original superfood to the Incas. In recent times avant-garde Peruvian chefs have rediscovered the ingredient’s special qualities to create iconic dishes that have been exported around the globe.

In this 1-hour sessions, José Luis, who has enjoyed taking many Aracari travelers on culinary tours of Cusco will be discussing the magic of quinoa, its qualities, and versatility in cuisine. The session will include a live demonstration on how to prepare a delicious Quinoa Tabbouleh recipe, with a garlic and mustard reduction.

Machu Picchu – Memory, Identity and Cultural Heritage

Thursday 5 November 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 12:30 EST / 18:30 CET )

Dr. Jean-Jacques Decoster, Anthropologist.

Originally from France, Dr. Decoster nowadays lives in Cusco, where he has held prestigious positions such as Professor of Anthropology and Ethno-history at the Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Director of Centro Tinku (language and cultural center), President of Asociación Kuraka, and Expeditions Consultant to the French Consul and the National Geographic Society.

Having spent many years studying Andean cultures, Dr. Decoster regularly accompanies Aracari travelers on tours of Machu Picchu, providing travelers with a wealth of insight into the historical and modern-day workings of the Incas and Andean life today. In this conversation, he will tell us about what it’s like to visit Machu Picchu and why it remains an eternal fascination for people around the world.

A Virtual Tour of Lima Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church (en Castellano)

Thursday 12 November 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 12:30 EST / 18:30 CET )

Luis Andrés Villacorta, Professor of Architecture, UPC.

For more than two centuries Lima has been one of the most influential cities for trade, politics and culture in all of South America. Today, the city’s architecture, cuisine, arts and music reflects Lima’s position at the epicenter of cultural development across the continent. At the heart of this World Heritage City are two architectural icons of Viceregal Limeña architecture: the Catedral de Lima, and the Dominican convent.

It’s not every day such prestigious architecture can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home. So, it’s a truly wonderful gift that Professor Luis Andrés Villacorta – an architect from the National University of Engineering in Lima –  should agree to host a virtual tour of these two historic buildings. As a lecturer on architecture at the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC) and consultant for the Getty Conservation Institute in Peru, he is undoubtedly the most perfect guide for this experience. Be sure not to miss it.

Traditional Arts of Peru

Thursday 19 November 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 12:30 EST / 18:30 CET )

John Alfredo Davis, Artist & Designer.

John is part of the second-generation of his family that has dedicated themselves to the revival and promotion of Peruvian art. Indeed, he is one of few authorities on Andean art and textiles in Peru, having co-founded “Picaflor,” an organization that supports and exhibits the work of craftspeople in traditional Peruvian arts.

For those interested in exploring Lima’s arts and crafts museums, John is the ideal companion, as the co-founder and curator of Kuntur Huasi, a traditional Peruvian arts and crafts gallery, as well as La Tienda Del Museo, which creates jewelry collections inspired by pre-Columbian designs. In the penultimate talk in this series, John will talk about the fascinating history of Peruvian arts and crafts and highlight what not to miss on any visit to the country.

The Therapy of Birdwatching

Thursday 26 November 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 12:30 EST / 18:30 CET )

Jose Luis Lescano, Birdwatcher & Photographer.

In these anxious times we live, José Luis delves into the topic of birdwatching as a therapeutic activity. Through his own experiences, he explains why Peru and in particular the area around Cusco is one of the best destinations in the world for birdwatching. He will talk about some of the experiences that can be enjoyed in this regard and touch on his passion for capturing birdlife through his photographer’s lens.

In our final talk of the series, join José Luis to discover what he has learned about the birds of Peru and the advice he gives to nature-loving travelers to the country.

The Convents of Arequipa

Thursday 3 December 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 12:30 EST / 18:30 CET )

Franz Grupp, Cultural Conservationist

In Viceregal times (16th to 18th centuries) social and economic life was ruled by intense religiosity. From the early days of the Spanish conquest, a number of religious orders established themselves in Arequipa, and built impressive temples and great cloisters to accommodate priests and nuns who looked after the spiritual needs of Spaniards and indigenous citizens alike. Soon after the City of Arequipa was founded in 1540, the Dominican order founded Santa Catalina Convent, a magnificent structure: one of the largest of its kind in the world. Soon after the Carmelites followed, founding Santa Teresa Convent. Both these building are currently open to the public and allow the visitor to learn about the architecture, art and the way of life in Spanish viceregal times.

 Franz Grupp is the Director of the Museum of Viceregal Art located inside the monastery of Santa Teresa. During his time, he has restored several of the artworks and sculptures in the monastery – on top of a career built around the cultural preservation of artworks across Lima, the Colca Vallery and almost every church in Arequipa. In the year 2000, Franz was part of the team that successfully put pitched the city of Arequipa to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage City. With credentials such as these, who is more perfect than Franz to enlighten us with stories and details about the the convents of Arequipa.

Note: This talk will be in Spanish, but we encourage you to register, to be sent the recorded version with subtitles on demand.

Huaca de la Luna

Thursday 10 December 2020
12:30 Lima Time ( 12:30 EST / 18:30 CET )

Dr. Ricardo Morales, Specialist in Moche Archaeology.

If there’s one must-see archaeological site in Northern Peru, this is it. The Huaca de la Luna, located near the city of Trujillo, was constructed between the 1st and 8th centuries using millions of adobe blocks. It is the best example of Moche architecture, and has yielded precious archaeological information on the Pre Inca Moche culture. Despite its age many parts of the temple are remarkably well preserved, the temples’ phenomenal multicolored friezes, make it one of the most interesting ancient sites in the Americas.

For over 3 decades, Dr. Morales has undertaken archaeological research along Peru’s Moche Route. As a result of his work, we have a better understanding of the culture and history of the Moche people. In return, he has been honored with prizes including the Queen Sofia IV International Award in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage for his work at Huaca de la Luna.

For anyone who has ever visited Peru, but not quite made it to Huaca de la Luna, or if you would like to understand more about the Moche people, then this talk is certainly one you won’t want to miss.

Note: This talk will be in Spanish, but we encourage you to register, to be sent the recorded version with subtitles on demand.