Luzmila Huarancca Products - UNICEF Market Canada

Luzmila Huarancca

?My name is Luzmila Huarancca Gutierrez. I was born in 1968 in the beautiful city of Ayacucho, one of the most notable architectural and artistic communities in Peru. It is known as the ?City of Churches' due to its numerous colonial churches. It is also known as the ?Lordly City' because of its architecture, traditions, and art. ?When I was 14 years old, during my third year at the emblematic school San Ramon de Ayacucho, the era of terrorism began. I had to leave the city to go to my native village, where I lived in fear. During that time, my father taught me the art of weaving on a loom. As I was unable to complete my secondary education, I decided to specialize in textiles. I love my profession as an artisan, since I can create and innovate new ideas and designs, transmitting them into my art so that people who see it are surprised, and they say how beautiful and perfect it is. Hearing this type of commentary inspires me to continue creating. ?I returned to the city of Ayacucho in 1998, after being married for 13 years and having three children. I was poor, working multiple jobs in order to provide for my children. I had a small loom in my house where I wove bed covers for my family because I did not have the money to buy them. ?In the year 2002, a representative of the project PARA came to my house to observe my work. They were impressed, and thanks to that project I was able to improve my quality of life and the quality of my coworkers' lives. Thanks to them, we could show our handicrafts to the world. ?I learned from my parents, who taught me not to lose this valuable art and to be proud of my culture. Now, I teach others to improve their techniques and quality control, since each piece of art needs to be in optimal condition. ?With respect to the art that I create with my husband and my children, my dream is that our pieces become a recognized brand of quality. My hope is that our art endures and that generations to come will be proud of our culture. I am excited by the idea of connecting my art with the world, transmitting it through beautiful Ayacuchan embroidery.?

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Luzmila Huarancca

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