24 Sep, 2013 | Alexandra Meleán

Culture and Urban living

Voladores sail in the sky, like vessels of the wind, soaring on the breath of Pachamama. Flyers forge a stronger connection with la madre tierra. Kites harmonize intergenerational dissonance, bringing people of all walks of life together.

If age is a game of blackjack between youth and seniority, who wins? Odds are the game is fixed. Youth is dealt the upper hand, hitting 21 on the mark. Yet age tends to discriminate when it comes to game. More than a number, spiritual age is a measure of state of mind, optimism, determination and perseverance. Visiting Pipiripi on a Sunday in late August, a recreational park between the city’s centre and Miraflores, it becomes clear how kite-making bridges the generational and existential gap between seniors and children. The ceremony harmonizes intergenerational dissonance, as people of all ages stand to contemplate their flying creations. On the 25th of August we were lucky enough to witness the city’s first annual flying contest, Wayra Phaxsi, festival of the wind.

Kites at Wayra Phaxsi come in every shape and design. It’s telling of our times that the day’s victor was neither this lion, nor the newspaper kite below. An Angry Birds kite soared victorious at the end of the afternoon.

Volador in hand, 4-year-old Valentina prepares for her kite’s maiden flight.

Weathered and dark hands delicately fold the tail of a kite.

Sailing high, a newspaper kite flies entranced towards Illimani.

After assessing wind conditions, a grandfather and his grandson prepare to launch their kite into the air.