The main cultural assets of Peru

Peru has been for millennia a source of culture and development. The oldest centre of civilization in the Americas is the 5000-year-old city of Caral-Supe. The ancient civilizations of Peru made important contributions to modern Peruvian society, our Latin American region and the world through their knowledge and creativity, generating progress, in balance with nature. Peruvian culture has nowadays established a fruitful dialogue between ancestral and contemporary creativity, in the understanding that education and innovation are the basis for truly sustainable development, and a source of social inclusiveness and productive growth.

The legal framework on cultural heritage conservation

Peru has made important progress in its national legal framework. The main legal document is the Law 28296 – General Law of Cultural Heritage, which encompasses the protection and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as cultural industries. Tangible and intangible heritage are an important asset for sustainable tourism, which contribute to the country’s economy. Intangible heritage could be considered “living” heritage, as it is part of the livelihood of the communities involved. Moreover, cultural industries are gaining ground as a promoter of jobs and economic growth. Peru is therefore committed to the fulfilment of International Cultural Conventions by implementing its recommendations and agreements at the national level.

The cultural and natural sites on the World Heritage List

The variety of Peruvian cultural heritage is reflected in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which includes natural, cultural and mixed sites; as well as in the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. All of them are recognized because of their outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science.

The ancient art of Pre-Hispanic and colonial societies has influenced Peruvian contemporary art and creative industries, as it is evident in painting and fashion. Andean heritage represented in “Indigenismo” also influenced one relevant aspect of the Latin American cultural movement during the 20th century, with outstanding representatives like José María Arguedas (literature) and José Sabogal (painting).

Peru is a Member State of ICCROM since 05/02/1962

Mandates in ICCROM Council since 1958:

ICCROM Staff since 1959: 2

Governmental Cultural Institutions

• Ministry of Culture
  
• National Library
  
• National Archives
  
• National Institute of Radio and Television (IRTP)
  
• National School of Fine Arts
  

Museums and Cultural Heritage Institutions

Name of Conservation Centres

• Yachaywasi
  
• Escuela Taller de Lima (Workshop School of Lima)
  
• Área de Restauración del Museo de Arte de Lima (Restoration Sector of the Art Museum of Lima)
  
• Servicio de Conservación y Restauración del Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú (Conservation and Restoration Service of the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru)
  

Names of most relevant museums and Web links

• Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú (National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru)
  
• Museo de Arte de Lima (Art Museum of Lima)
  
• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Lima - MACLima (Museum of Contemporary Art of Lima)
  
• Museo Larco (Larco Museum)
  
• Museo Oro del Perú (Museum Gold of Peru)
  
• Museo Nacional Tumbas Reales de Sipán (National Museum “Royal Tombs of Sipan”)
  
• Museo Nacional Sicán (National Museum “Sican”)
  
• Museo del Santuario Arqueológico de Pachacamac (Museum of the Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac)
  
• Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad de San Marcos (Museum of Natural History of San Marcos University)
  
• Museo Nacional de Chavín (National Museum of Chavin)
  

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