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PLACA | Ancient Wisdom in a Modern World

Hall of Languages, 500

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The Moynihan Institute and the Program on Latin American and the Caribbean are proud to host a screening two short films followed by a Q&A and musical performance.

These two films provide insights into the process of bringing traditional Indigenous knowledge into the modern world to address and mitigate the effects of changing climates as well as providing frameworks for undoing community disconnections and decommitments.

Following the film, a short musical performance by our guests will precede the Q&A for both films.

Film: Tarcila: Indigenous Solutions to Climate Change from Peru

This film, directed by our guests’ collaborator Sarah Kuck, invites us to meet Tarcila Rivera Zea, an Indigenous Quechua elder and activist fighting for the rights of her people in Peru. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, Zea’s efforts to empower her community have become more important than ever before. 

This inspiring film focuses on solutions, showcasing the strategies working for Indigenous farmers. Zea and her organization Chirapaq are the heroes of this story, demonstrating the power of Traditional Knowledge and the importance of including Indigenous women to tackle climate change.

Film: Sikuris 

This  film,  directed by Alonso J. Luján in collaboration with Eduardo Cassapia is a segment of a longer documentary in-progress documentary film project. 

This film takes us to Texas, where a community answers an undeniable call to build a school around Indigenous Andean panpipe music—preserving a practice of collaboration and connection that requires what modern life rarely offers: time, presence, and collective commitment. 

ALONSO J. LUJÁN - Filmmaker

Born in Lima, Peru, Alonso J. Luján is a filmmaker and director of photography working across documentary, narrative, commercial and television projects. His work has taken him internationally, and he has contributed to the editing team of director Terrence Malick. Most recently, he served as director of photography for the travel and music series City of Songs, currently streaming on PBS.

EDUARDO CASSAPIA - Musician, Educator

Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Eduardo Cassapia studied traditional Andean music at the Conservatorio de los Andes and classical oboe at the National Conservatory of Music of Bolivia, later continuing advanced studies in oboe and composition in Germany. He performed for fourteen years as oboist with the Bolivian National Symphony Orchestra and was awarded the Medal of Cultural Merit by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia for his contributions to music and cultural preservation.


Category

Social Science and Public Policy

Type

Films

Region

In-Person

Open to

All Students

Alumni

Faculty and Staff

General Public

Organizers

Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs, Program on Latin America and the Caribbean

Contact

George Tsaoussis Carter
315.443.9248

gtsaouss@syr.edu

Accessibility

Contact George Tsaoussis Carter to request accommodations