Guatemala organizes talk to preserve ancestral giant kite traditions

The Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo (Inguat) is hosting a conversation to share the history and techniques of creating giant kites in Guatemala.

This event aims to highlight the cultural knowledge and personal stories of the craftspeople who maintain this ancestral tradition. The conversation will feature participants from different countries and local organizations. Claude Quevedo from France and Jairo Montoya from Colombia, who both organize international kite festivals, will join the discussion.

Federico Carranza, a representative of the Asociación de Barrileteros de Sumpango, will also share his expertise with the public. Local master kite makers from Guatemala will attend to share their personal experiences, symbols, and knowledge related to the craft. The event focuses on the meaning behind the kites seen during the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez. The talk will take place on November 5, 2026, at the Inguat building in Guatemala City.

The conversation will last approximately 90 minutes and provides the public with a way to learn about the skills passed down through generations of kite makers.