FOLK MEDIA PERU
"Empowering Lives, Changing Destinies: Interview with the President of Folk Media Peru"
In a world where culture and folklore often take a back seat, Folk Media Peru stands as a beacon of hope. This non-profit organization is dedicated not only to preserving and disseminating our cultural heritage through music and dance but also to improving the quality of life and social development of children, youth, and adults. Its vision is to be recognized for its tireless work in promoting culture and folklore, and its mission goes beyond mere preservation: it's a matter of empowerment and social progress. I had the opportunity to speak with its president, Karen Hess, a passionate leader at the helm of this noble cause. Join us in this inspiring and revealing conversation to better understand the work of Folk Media Peru and its impact on our society.
1. How did Folk Media Peru come into being and what was its initial inspiration for its creation?
The initial inspiration for the creation of Folk Media Peru was a passion for culture and education, as well as the need to promote and preserve cultural richness and traditions. The organization set out to be a key driver in promoting and disseminating cultural heritage nationally and internationally, fostering creativity and innovation. Additionally, we are committed to being a beacon of culture, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive and culturally rich future. In summary, Folk Media Peru was born with the vision of being a reference in cultural dissemination and the promotion of cultural heritage, and its initial inspiration was a passion for culture and the desire to contribute to the growth and well-being of the community through artistic and cultural activities.
2. Can you share with us the organization's mission and vision?
Of course, our mission is to preserve and disseminate cultural heritage through music and dance. Our goal is to strengthen cultural identity and promote artistic and cultural education, enriching the lives of children, youth, and adults in our community. We strive to be leaders in the promotion of education through cultural experiences and contracts with our government, allowing us to work on developing our workshops and projects to create a positive and lasting impact in our community. And our vision by 2025 is to become a widely recognized organization in the dissemination and promotion of culture and folklore, addressing diversity with inclusion. Our aim is to be a leading force in promoting and disseminating cultural heritage nationally and internationally, fostering creativity and innovation. Our goal is to promote education and personal development through institutional agreements, workshops, artistic, and cultural activities, contributing to the growth and well-being of children, youth, and adults throughout the state. Folk Media Peru is committed to being a beacon of culture, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive and culturally rich future.
3. How does Folk Media Peru balance cultural preservation and folklore with the goal of improving quality of life and social development?
Folk Media Peru achieves a balance between cultural preservation and folklore with the goal of improving quality of life and social development through various strategies and actions. Firstly, the organization is dedicated to preserving and disseminating cultural heritage through music and dance, which allows the traditions and cultural expressions of Peru to be kept alive and supports Hispanic cultures. This contributes to strengthening the cultural identity of the community and keeping cultural heritage alive for future generations. Additionally, Folk Media Peru seeks to carry out social activities where we provide support to youth and women to improve families and communities, giving a boost to social assistance in different aspects, as well as supporting artistic and cultural education, providing learning and personal development opportunities through activities that contribute to growth and not only allow people to connect with their culture but also foster creativity, self-expression, and the development of artistic skills. The organization also commits to promoting inclusion and diversity in its activities, addressing cultural diversity in an inclusive and respectful manner. This is reflected in its vision of being a leading force in the promotion and dissemination of cultural heritage, and sharing support with our Hispanic cultures around Texas and the USA. In summary, Folk Media Peru balances cultural preservation and social assistance in various educational and cultural projects with the aim of improving quality of life and social development through the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage, the promotion of artistic and cultural education, and the promotion of inclusion and diversity in its activities.
4. Could you share some of the key projects or initiatives that Folk Media Peru has undertaken to achieve its mission?
Folk Media Peru has carried out several key projects and initiatives to achieve its mission of preserving and disseminating cultural heritage through the participation and integration of our community in Texas, being part of great support in different events where music and dance are involved. They have led us to explore many historical parts of our Latin American communities, and here are some examples:
• "Folk" Project: This initiative aims to promote and enrich the integration of families in the community with art and culture. We also target certain organizations by supporting them with the training and promotion of local and foreign artists, offering spaces for artistic expression and the dissemination of Hispanic-American culture.
• Cultural support project for northern customs and the Libertad Club branch of Austin, providing voluntary collaboration in their local marinera contests and in the last two World Selective Marinera Championships IV and V. This project aims to promote the Peruvian dance of marinera. It seeks to improve the quality of life of people and promote its practice in different categories, achieving great success in the support provided.
• Social initiatives in collaboration with different organizations: Folk Media Peru has participated in various initiatives and social projects in collaboration with these organizations. These initiatives seek to promote social development and improve the quality of life of the community. Likewise, we continue to promote and strengthen all initiatives in our participation with different cultural and gastronomic festival projects and other non-profit corporations in the state of Texas. Thus, we have advanced with some of our examples of both projects and initiatives that Folk Media Peru remains functional, growing, and being able to balance cultural preservation, social support, folklore with the aim of improving the quality of life and development in our society. We feel that our commitment to the promotion of artistic and cultural education, as well as its focus on inclusion and diversity, are fundamental.
5. How do you believe music and dance can contribute to social development and improving people's quality of life?
At Folk Media Peru, we enumerate the positive impact of music and dance on our society as follows:
- Expression and liberation: Music and dance are wonderful ways to express our emotions and relieve stress. Dancing and listening to music allow us to connect with our feelings and find an outlet for our emotions.
- Connection and community: Music and dance have the power to bring people together. When we dance or enjoy music together, we create bonds and feel part of something bigger. It's a fun and exciting way to connect with others.
- Joy and well-being: Music and dance have the ability to make us feel happy and energized. Dancing allows us to release endorphins and feel good about ourselves. Additionally, listening to music we enjoy can uplift our mood and improve our quality of life.
- Self-expression and confidence: Music and dance provide us with a platform to express ourselves and be ourselves. By dancing or playing an instrument, we can showcase our creativity and personality. This helps us develop confidence in ourselves and feel more secure in our abilities.
- Celebration of diversity: Music and dance are a way to celebrate cultural diversity. Each culture has its own music and dance style, and by exploring different genres and rhythms, we can learn and appreciate each other's traditions. This helps us become more tolerant and respectful of differences. In general, music and dance are powerful tools that can improve our quality of life and promote social development. They allow us to express ourselves, connect with others, and find joy in our lives.
6. What are some of the biggest challenges Folk Media Peru will face and how do you plan to overcome them?
- Funding: One of the most common challenges for cultural organizations is securing adequate funding for their projects and programs. To overcome this challenge, at Folk Media Peru, we seek funding opportunities through grants, corporate sponsorships, or collaborations with other organizations.
- Access to resources and spaces: Another challenge may be access to resources and spaces to carry out cultural activities. Folk Media Peru is establishing partnerships with educational institutions, municipalities, or other relevant stakeholders to ensure access to suitable spaces and necessary resources for its projects.
- Community participation: Engaging the community and maintaining their active participation can be a challenge. Folk Media Peru will promote community participation in the planning and execution of its activities, conducting participatory workshops and creating spaces for dialogue and feedback.
- Outreach and visibility: Making the organization's activities and achievements known can be a challenge. At Folk Media Peru, we have effective communication strategies, such as the use of social media, collaborations with the media, and the organization of public events to increase our visibility and disseminate our work.
- Long-term sustainability: Maintaining the organization's long-term sustainability is a constant challenge. We will diversify our sources of funding, establish strategic partnerships, and develop self-sustaining programs that generate income for the organization.
7. How do you plan to build and maintain a strong, motivated team?
Very easy! By following these steps:
- Fostering a culture of open communication where all team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and suggestions. This helps build trust and improves collaboration.
- Setting clear and realistic goals for the team. Ensuring that everyone understands the expectations and deadlines. This will give them a sense of purpose and direction.
- Celebrating achievements and recognizing the hard work of team members. Implementing recognition programs or rewards to motivate and reward effort and outstanding performance.
- Providing opportunities for development and professional growth to team members. This will include training, workshops, or special assignments. Personal and professional growth is a great motivation.
- Promoting collaboration and teamwork. Encouraging team members to share knowledge, skills, and support each other. This creates a positive work environment and strengthens relationships among team members.
8. What message would you like to send to people who are learning about Folk Media Peru for the first time?
As I mentioned earlier, we are a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and disseminating cultural heritage through music and dance. Our vision is to be recognized nationally and internationally in the promotion of culture and folklore, addressing diversity with inclusion. In addition to preserving and disseminating cultural heritage through music and dance, at Folk Media Peru, we also seek to promote education and personal development. Through artistic and cultural activities, we aim to contribute to the growth and well-being of children, youth, and adults. My message to you, who are learning about Folk Media Peru for the first time, is to encourage you to participate in these artistic and cultural activities that we offer. These experiences will give you the opportunity to learn, develop personally, and enrich your life. By getting involved in our activities, you can discover new skills, express your creativity, and connect with other people who share your interest in culture and art. Additionally, artistic and cultural education has proven benefits for cognitive, emotional, and social development. So, I invite you to immerse yourself in the world of Folk Media Peru and take advantage of the opportunities we offer for learning, growing, and enjoying artistic and cultural activities. You will contribute to your own growth and well-being, as well as that of the community as a whole.
In summary, the work of Folk Media transcends the boundaries of the artistic and cultural, positively impacting the education and personal development of the community. Through its institutional agreements, workshops, and activities, the organization demonstrates its commitment to the growth and well-being of children, youth, and adults throughout the state. Its focus on promoting education and artistic expression reflects a true commitment to social transformation. Folk Media Peru is and will be a beacon of inspiration and change, carrying with it the richness of culture and art to every corner of society. "Empowering Lives, Changing Destinies".