The Fascinating Story of the “Itinerant Pucara Bull: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands”
Edited by Anna Popper
Peru, a land of adventure, breathtaking landscapes, wildlife and unparalleled cultural heritage spanning over 5,000 years, continues to enchant the world as a dream destination. Defined by its diversity, Peru’s geography includes arid coastal deserts, towering highlands, and the vast Amazon rainforest that covers two-thirds of its territory. While many are familiar with the famed Seven Wonders of Peru, such as Machu Picchu and the enigmatic Nasca Lines, the country holds countless other treasures. Among these is the Bull of Pucará, an iconic ceramic figure from the Andean highlands. Rich in symbolism, this beautifully crafted bull embodies protection, happiness and prosperity. Its colourful designs reflect the harmony between nature and man, making it a timeless emblem of Peruvian tradition and artistry.
The Exhibition Opening
To bring a glimpse of a special aspect of Peru’s rich traditions to Hungary, the Embassy of Peru, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, organised a captivating exhibition entitled “Itinerant Pucara Bull: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands”. The display celebrates one of Peru’s most cherished symbols, offering a profound insight into the artistry and enduring cultural legacy of the region of its origin. The opening event on 19 November 2024 was attended by Hungarian officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, and friends of Peru.
The exhibition is held at the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, a prominent cultural institution in Budapest, housed in the historic Wenckheim Palace, renowned for its stunning Neo-Renaissance architecture from the 19th century.
The inauguration ceremony started with a warm welcome from Mrs. Ágnes Koreny-Kovács, Director General of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, which proudly celebrates 120 years of service to the community. She expressed her delight in hosting such a remarkable event, emphasizing the library’s role as a hub for cultural exchange and learning.
Mrs. Koreny-Kovács praised the exhibition for offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore the lesser-known aspects of Peruvian culture that bridges continents. She highlighted the significance of showcasing the Bull of Pucará as a strong symbol of Peru’s vibrant culture, inviting attendees to immerse themselves in the diversity of a nation whose traditions are as varied as its geography and historical legacy. Through this initiative, visitors can experience the spirit of the Peruvian highlands and discover a unique world that transcends borders.
In his address, H.E. Mr. Edgard Pérez Alván, Ambassador of Peru to Hungary, provided a comprehensive insight into the history of the exhibition’s subject and focal point, the Pucara Bull:
“Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you very much for joining us to the opening of the exhibition ‘Itinerant Pucara Bull: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands’. Through this exhibition we are getting closer to a tradition that has transcended centuries and generations in the Andes of Peru, a tradition that remains vibrant to this day.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library and especially to its Director General, Mrs. Ágnes Koreny, and to all her dedicated team, who have made it possible for us to be here today.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Many centuries ago, even before the rise of the Inca Empire, the inhabitants of the Peruvian highlands already mastered the technique of working and transforming clay, recreating images of nature with their hands. At that time, representations of local animals could be found, among them llamas and other Andean camelids.
A town called Pucará, near Lake Titicaca, in southeastern Peru, more than 3,800 meters above sea level, began to stand out for its ceramic pieces. With the arrival of Western culture, the indigenous Andean culture changed. The appearance of new animals in the Andean world, such as the bull, gave artisans a new motif for their clay pieces, incorporating them into daily life and the collective imaginary.
In an area where life and work are so closely linked to Mother Earth, bulls became a representation of strength and protection, of unity and fertility, of prosperity and happiness, and having them nearby transmitted these feelings to those who owned them. Thus, the inhabitants of Pucará placed a pair of ceramic bulls on the rooftops of their houses so that they would be their guardians and ward off negative forces. To this day, in Pucará houses you can see bulls with a cross in the middle, which sums up the Andean vision: Western culture and the incorporation of Christianity into the daily life of the Andean population.
The bulls have evolved in shape, size, colours and also meanings. They left the borders of Pucará long ago and can now be found throughout Peru. And in addition to their original symbolism, the colours and decorations acquired over the years have given new meanings to these ceramic handicrafts. This tradition is alive: each generation of artisans has added their personal touch, their stories and creativity, making the Pucara Bull not only a relic of the past, but a permanent expression of Peru’s Andean identity.
More recently, our Pucara Bull has become international and has travelled the five continents, with Hungary and particularly Budapest being the most recent of a long list of cities visited. And our bull continues to transform, as a representative of a living culture, as an ambassador of the Peruvian highlands, it seeks not only to show the presence of Peru but also to establish bonds of brotherhood between countries. For this reason, on Saturday, 23 November, the exhibition will include a painting workshop for adults and children, where all who wish can express their inner artist and paint small pieces of Pucara Bulls with the motifs and colours of their choice.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When you visit the exhibition, you will realise that you are not merely observing ceramics, but a vibrant, centuries-old tradition – a cultural heritage that speaks to the syncretism between the Andean and Western worlds. It invites us to reflect on the life and worldview of the people from a town in the Peruvian highlands, whose artisans have preserved their craft across generations. The product of this work is an integral part of Peruvian identity. Just as it contributed to the local economy in the past, it now also plays a role in promoting tourism in Pucará and throughout Peru. When we view the Pucara Bulls today, we not only see a connection to the past, but also a symbol of hope for the future.
Each Pucara Bull we see here invites us to learn more about Peru – its colours, spirituality and identity. This exhibition brings us closer to the roots of a culture that, in its simplicity, teaches us lessons about strength, unity and resilience.
Proud to be Peruvian, our Pucara Bull seeks to continue interacting with the peoples of the world, as the ambassador it has become. Renowned artists from different countries have already painted the Bull, transforming uncoloured ceramics into unique pieces with their art that blend Peruvian culture with that of their respective countries. Next year Hungary will also have one of these pieces with the contribution of an artist from the city of Veszprém. We are very excited about the idea of having a Pucará-Hungarian Bull.
As you can see, our bull is never still and continues traveling and transforming itself. So I invite you to take advantage of this exhibition in Budapest, to learn about our Pucará Bull, and also enjoy this magnificent building of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library. I reiterate my heartfelt thanks to its Director General Mrs. Ágnes Koreny for allowing us to exhibit our pieces here and for the wonderful collaboration we have started.
Without further ado, I hereby declare the exhibition ‘Itinerant Pucara Bull. Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands’ officially inaugurated. Thank you.”
Painting workshop – Bringing the Spirit of the Pucara Bull to Life
As part of the exhibition “Itinerant Pucara Bull. Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands”, a vibrant painting workshop was held on 23 November at the Ervin Szabó Metropolitan Library. The event, brimming with enthusiasm, colours, creativity and cultural spirit, attracted a large number of children, young people and adults from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, despite the high demand and the occasional need to wait in line.
Participants had the unique opportunity to unleash their creativity by painting the iconic Pucara Bulls with colours and motifs of their choice. With paintbrushes in hand, attendees delved into this cherished tradition from the Peruvian highlands. The joyful and inspiring atmosphere allowed to immerse themselves in Peruvian culture, while learning about the profound meanings behind the colours used: Red – protection and love at home, White – peace at home, Black – protection against envy, Orange – joy and fun, Green – economic prosperity, fertility and good health, Blue – trust, fidelity and friendship, Natural colour – protection for the family. These symbolic meanings guided the guests in creating their unique and meaningful works of art.
The workshop, a complementary common activity to the exhibition, was a great success and allowed participants to personalize their Pucara Bulls with colours and motifs of their choosing. This dynamic experience not only celebrated Peruvian artistry but also fostered cultural exchange by integrating Hungarian elements and motifs into this living tradition.
This extraordinary collaboration between the Embassy of Peru and the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library underscores the power of art and culture in bringing nations together, leaving an indelible mark on Budapest’s vibrant cultural scene.
The exhibition, located on the 4th floor of the library, is open to the public until 3 January 2025. Visitors are invited to learn more about the history and symbolism of the Pucara Bull, a vital part of Peru’s cultural mosaic and an enduring representation of its artistic and spiritual heritage.
Source: Embassy of Peru in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of Peru in Budapest and DPA
