US embassy cable - 05LIMA4755

UNCLAS LIMA 004755 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/PDA (MDCONNERS/GADAMS/SLEBENS) 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PE 
SUBJECT: U.S. PHOTOGRAPHER IN INTERNATIONAL PHOTO FESTIVAL IN 
LIMA 
 
 
1. PAS sponsored the visit of U.S. photographer Jay Manis to 
participate in the International Photo Festival, held in Lima 
during October and November 2005.  During his visit, Mr. Manis 
presented an exhibition at the Miraflores City Hall Gallery, gave 
a conference on his 9/11 public art project, and exchanged ideas 
for future collaboration with the directors of the most important 
photo institute in the city, "El Ojo Ajeno."  Media coverage was 
extensive. 
 
2. On Wednesday October 26, the Mayor of Miraflores attended the 
opening of Mr. Manis' show and complemented his work, composed of 
80 images of New York 9/11 and other photographs taken during 
previous trips to Peru.  Representatives from "El Ojo Ajeno," 
local artists, and community members also attended the gallery 
opening.  On Thursday, October 27, Mr. Manis gave a lecture on 
his 9/11 project called "Here is New York" for an audience of 50 
people.  During his 60-minute presentation, he showed a Ground 
Zero video and projected various works from other American 
artists who participated in the project. He publicly thanked the 
Embassy for supporting his visit to Peru. 
 
3. Media coverage: On October 11, Daily serious tabloid Correo, 
(circulation 70.000,) published an encouraging note on the 
Miraflores International Photo Festival, acknowledging the 
importance of embassies' support for its success.  On Wednesday 
October 26, Daily tabloid La Primera (circulation 4,000,) 
published a long article and photograph on the artist's work. 
Leading dailies El Comercio, La Repblica, La Razn, El Vocero, 
La Primera, and Peru 21 also covered the program. 
 
4. Results: This program directly supported the Post's democracy 
y 
MPP goal and helped to foster cultural exchange and mutual 
understanding between Peru and the U.S.  The program reminded the 
public of the atrocities of 9/11 and the importance of fighting 
terrorism, specifically in the district of Miraflores, that 
experienced one of the worse civil attacks during the country's 
20-year terrorist civil war. 
 
5. U.S. support: Post used FY06 program funds to pay for Mr. 
Manis' International ticket, while local institutions covered 
perdiem. 
 
STRUBLE