Giant kites will draw crowds to Sumpango festival
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Residents of Sumpango, Guatemala, are preparing for the annual Festival de Barriletes Gigantes, a cultural event held each November 1st. More than 50 groups of local artisans are finishing the construction of large, colorful kites made from bamboo and tissue paper.
These kites, some supported by tree trunks, are central to a tradition that connects the living with the deceased and allows artists to express themselves.
The festival began in 1978 when neighbors organized a contest to revive the practice of kite-making, which had been declining. Over time, the event grew and became a festival. In 2022, Guatemala’s Ministry of Culture and Sports recognised the kite-making technique as an intangible cultural heritage. Two years later, UNESCO added it to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year’s festival, themed “Trazos con historia” (Traces with History), will include competitions in categories for adults and children.
Organizers anticipate around 100,000 visitors and have been meeting since July 2026 to plan for traffic and logistics, advising attendees to allow extra travel time and wear comfortable clothing. The festival takes place on the municipal soccer field near the town’s general cemetery.
