Chinas kite flying tradition maintained in Panama

China’s kite flying tradition, which was an early step towards the conquest of the air and modern day flying, is alive and well in Panama.

The local Chinese community, supported by the Panama Canal Authority recently held  its  twelfth annual Kite Festival took place with colorful home-made kites filling the skies over the Amador Causeway. 

The free, multi-generational event was organized by the Chinese-Panamanian Cultural Center, the Chinese Embassy (Taiwan), the Chinese-Panamanian Association of Professionals, and the Panama Canal Authority. 

Contestants, ranging in age from 4 to 85, flew their creations in friendly competition for trophies, medals, and cash prizes.  The kites were designed to reflect this year’s “Year of the Dragon” theme.

Winners of the Commercial category, ages 4-12, were: Javier Moisés Barría Romero, Mariel Ledezma, Brittanie Nieto, y Joseph Pineda.  Winners of the Commercial category, ages 7 and up, were: Benjamín Heres, Elquis de Ho, Juan David Sousa y Roberto Samudio.

Winners of the Craft category, ages 13 and up, were: Isaac Herrera, Omar Serrano, Jesús Vargas, Jorge Scott, and Jesús Gutiérrez.

And the winners of the Best Kites category, chosen by theme, color and shape, were: Basilio Herrera Cisneros and Belisario Rodríguez.