OREM, Utah — The Office for Global Engagement, in conjunction with the City of Cusco in Peru and the Consulate of Peru, will celebrate Inti Raymi, the most important festival of the Inca Empire, on April 28 at 7pm in the UVU Grand Ballroom. For the first time in their history this celebration will be held outside of Peru, bringing great enthusiasm to the Utah Valley community and abroad.

“These types of collaborations occur when we have a strong diplomatic tie with governments around the world,” Baldomero Lago, UVU’s chief international officer, said. “Last month we held the UVU Diplomatic Conference and brought a strong representation of Peru to our campus. Now we have been asked to bring Inti Raymi to our campus.”

Inti Raymi is a traditional religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the sun god Inti (Quechua for "sun"), the most venerated deity in Inca religion. It was the celebration of the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year in terms of the time between sunrise and sunset — and the Inca New Year when the hours of light would begin to lengthen again. The festival is held on June 24.

Actors, dancers, and the mayor of Cusco will attend the ceremonial Incan tradition. The event is free and open to the public and will also be live streamed to Peru and to all the Peruvian Embassies throughout the world. Incan culture and traditions will be on display in the commons area of the Grand Ballroom at 6pm.

“As an academic institution we take pride in being inclusive and welcoming all cultures to our campus,” Lago said. “For the first time in their history this celebration will be held outside of Peru, bringing great enthusiasm to our local community and abroad. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

 

About The Office for Global Engagement

The Office for Global Engagement at UVU has a mission to create opportunities for students to succeed and empower them to become responsible global citizens. They are committed to the principle that international experiences, awareness, and perspectives are vital to a strong, sustainable world.

For more information about the Office for Global Engagement, click here.