Art & Culture

The Embassy of Ecuador in Israel organized the art exhibition “Andean Anthology” by Ecuadorian artist José Bastidas, with an opening event held on May 27, 2026, in cooperation with the Cervantes Institute of Tel Aviv.

The event was moderated by Mr. Bernardo Burgos, Consul of Ecuador in Israel.

Ambassadors and other diplomats, government officials, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, and members of the Latin American community in Israel attended the reception cocktail. The paintings in the collection are spectacularly beautiful and display the typical joyful colors of the Andean region.

The official program began with the performance of the National Anthem of Ecuador. Mr. Francisco del Río Sánchez, Director of the Cervantes Institute of Tel Aviv, delivered welcoming remarks to the attendees. Afterwards, the Ambassador of Ecuador to Israel, Attorney María Cristina Cevallos Calero, gave a speech introducing the artist and stated:

“It is a profound honor for me to extend to you the warmest welcome to this important artistic exhibition by the Ecuadorian master José Bastidas, whose work represents the sensitivity, identity, and cultural richness of our Ecuador.

Art serves as a bridge between peoples. It allows us to engage in dialogue beyond borders, to share emotions, and to bring our cultures closer together through beauty and creativity. Tonight, we celebrate precisely this encounter between Ecuador and Israel through the universal language of art.

Our country possesses an extraordinary cultural and artistic diversity, heir to ancestral indigenous, mestizo, and contemporary traditions. Every brushstroke, every color, and every composition by master José Bastidas reflects the essence of a nation rich in history, memory, and hope.

Likewise, the works we contemplate today invite us to enter a deeply surrealist universe, where reality and symbolism are in constant dialogue. In each painting, we discover elements that evoke the soul of Ecuador: hummingbirds symbolizing life and Andean spirituality; El Panecillo, the icon of our city of Quito; the Diablo Huma, an ancestral mythological figure of our indigenous worldview; as well as multiple references to traditions, hardworking faces, colors, and the roots of our indigenous peoples.

I invite you to tour this exhibition with curious eyes and an open spirit, allowing every detail to reveal a different story, memory, and emotion. The works of master Bastidas will allow you to encounter fragments of our cultural identity and the human richness of Ecuador.

In this context, and as we recently commemorated a glorious date for Ecuador, I wish to recall a fundamental event in our republican history: the Battle of Pichincha, fought on May 24, 1822.

That historic feat took place on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, in the city of Quito, where patriot forces led by Marshal Antonio José de Sucre achieved a decisive victory over the colonial army. This triumph consolidated the independence of the former Royal Audience of Quito and opened the path to the definitive freedom of our people.

The Battle of Pichincha not only represents a victorious military episode, but also symbolizes the courage, unity, and longing for freedom of men and women who dreamed of a sovereign and dignified nation. Its legacy continues to inspire us to this day, reminding us of the importance of freedom, national identity, and integration among the peoples of Latin America.

Today, as we gather in this prestigious cultural institution, we also renew this spirit of encounter and fraternity among nations, promoting mutual understanding through art and culture.

I express my sincere appreciation to the Cervantes Institute of Tel Aviv for opening its doors to Ecuadorian culture, as well as to master José Bastidas for sharing with us his talent and artistic sensitivity.

I hope this exhibition will be an enriching experience for all of you and an opportunity to come even closer to the soul and spirit of Ecuador.”

The guests then enjoyed the artistic and cultural presentation by Otavalo artist Franklin Anguaña (“Funky”), who performed “El Cóndor Pasa” using indigenous instruments, and of course a tour of the beautiful exhibition.

Diplomacy.co.il and   https://diariojudio.com  congratulate the Embassy of Ecuador and the Cervantes Institute for this important artistic contribution.