Rebirth of the Reina Torres de Araúz Museum of Anthropology

Yesterday we went to the Inauguration of the new site of the Reina Torres de Araúz Museum in Llanos de Curundu, Panama City (gracias a Denisse por la invitación!). The ceremony took place in the museum's amphitheater and after some words from key figures and local authorities including our first lady (her endorsement was critical to the development and success of the project), we had the opportunity to take a good look around and get some photos.


the greeting squad

Reina Torres de Araúz was a very daring lady who became Panama´s first reknowned woman anthropologist in a time when the words "woman" and "science" were not likely to be seen in the same sentence. She studied and documented the earliest known settlements of the country's native inhabitants and, even posthumously, seems to be leading the efforts in revealing the grandeur of our predecesors by having a museum carry not only her name but her spirit.


Salón Reina Torres de Araúz


One of the highlights of the exhibit, Torres de Araúz at ease while on a mission







For the occasion, the Soumaya Museum of Mexico was nice enough to lend us 32 pieces of its Auguste Rodin exhibit which for the first time leaves its current home. It's a pity that only about 0.003% of the population will care enough to visit the museum because the pieces were truly a treat for the eyes and soul. Sculpture is a form of art that celebrates life, not by trying to imitate it, but rather by capturing its essence through the subtlety of gestures and poses and wrinkles.

Click on the images to enlarge them!













If you're in town or live here, here is some useful info you'll need to plan a visit, there's no excuse!

Open Tuesday - Friday from 9am til 4pm
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10am til 5pm

Entry fee is USD3.00 for adults
USD1.00 for students holding a Student ID, retirees and minors under the age of 18

(couldn't get a phone number, sorry)


After the very elegant event, dressed in our very elegant attires, I made everyone go to the On the Run accross the street to get me a chili dog. I took a bite and it landed upside-down on my tray. I almost choked laughing and that's when we called it a day.