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A festival arrived with messages of hope to a province that has been affected by border violence.

With peace messages after the events recorded between January and April this year, north of Esmeraldas, on the border with Colombia, students from more than 40 schools in this province have arrived. This was done as part of the first student dance festival, with the convening of the Institute for the Promotion of the Arts and Creations (Ifaic). It was in recognition and commemoration of the development of the decade of the Afro-Ecuadorian people.

The activity began on July 16 at the educational unit Luis Vargas Torres and will end with the designation of the winning schools on August 9, after a specialized qualification jury, consisting of three people, will choose two dailies, until they rank 10.

According to the calendar announced by Ifaic, August 3 will be the grand finale and the 9, which is the National Day of Culture, will be awarded to the winners. During the beginning of the eliminatory event, in which each group of dancers dressed in the clothes of the Afro-Ecuadorian people, demonstrated their skills and knowledge of dance, the executive director of the Ifaic, Ronald Verdesoto Gaibor, said the event that strengthens, as it is peace; "This peace with the flavor of marimba that gives a message to Ecuador and to the world, that border events have never been stumbling blocks to dream, build, make a homeland of culture, of the generous hand of this Afro-Ecuadorian people who have the capacity to create and to love, "he said.