U.S. support for Ecuador’s “Panama Hat” (paja toquilla)
October 23, 2009
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Amb. Hodges and "paja
toquilla" weavers in Cuenca |
While in Cuenca, Ambassador Hodges handed over 82 ergonomic chairs to weavers from Union Cañari and San Martin de Puzhio Associations, with the purpose of improving their working conditions. Four companies from Cuenca that export goods made out of paja toquilla (“straw toquilla,” also known as the “Panama hat plant” or Carludovica palmata) received $80,000 in financing from the United States through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve the marketing and quality of its products, the most famous of which are Panama hats. Ambassador Hodges also inaugurated the U.S. exhibit to the Cuenca Bienal 2009. (
Photo gallery visit to Cuenca)
“River Library” represents the United States in this year’s Cuenca Biennale
October 23, 2009
 |
Amb. Heather Hodges and Rene
Cardoso, President of the Bien-
nale, inaugurate the exhibit |
U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador Heather Hodges officially inaugurated the U.S. exhibit to the tenth edition of Cuenca Biennale of Art, which began on October 22nd. The work, entitled “River Library,” is by Raquel Rabinovich, an Argentinean-American artist who creates art from the humblest of materials, such as river mud and rocks. Rabinovich used rocks from the four rivers that surround Cuenca for this exhibit, which will be on display until December 4th. (
Photo gallery of the Cuenca visit)
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