Every year, our community comes together to honor one of Panama’s most meaningful traditions: the celebration of the Mes de la Patria. At the Metropolitan School of Panama, this celebration is not only cultural but deeply educational. It reflects who we are as a school that values heritage, student engagement, and experiential learning.
As is tradition, we opened our celebrations on October 27 with our Flag Planting Ceremony. This meaningful community event brought together students, staff, families, special guests, and this year, the marching band from Colegio Moisés Castillo Ocaña. With the presence of our Parent Council and the entire MET community, this ceremony set the tone for what would become an unforgettable week of cultural pride and authentic learning.
From November 24 to 27, we celebrated our Panamanian Cultural Week, four days filled with experiences, performances, workshops, and exhibitions designed to help students explore Panama’s diversity, traditions, and identity. These celebrations were planned and coordinated by our Academic Director, Mrs. Indira Acosta, together with the Elementary and Secondary Spanish Departments, whose dedication ensured a meaningful and comprehensive learning experience for all students.
We opened the week with a special Opening Ceremony, followed by an immersive schedule of activities led by experts, artists, community members, teachers, and students.
Throughout the week, students across Elementary and Secondary participated in activities that honored Indigenous heritage, Afro-Panamanian culture, traditional music, and national artistic expression.
Elementary students enjoyed performances by the folkloric group Alma Mía, dance workshops led by Emberá Dances, and hands-on activities that helped them explore Panama’s cultural richness. One of this year’s most significant initiatives was the Junta de Embarre project, completed with the support of students, teachers, and parent volunteers. This ambitious project, brought to life for the first time on our campus in Green Valley, quickly became one of the most memorable learning experiences of the week.
Elementary also showcased their work in the exhibition "Trails of Our Panama", which reflected this year’s school-wide theme and celebrated the country’s cultural landscapes through student inquiry. Additionally, parents and staff participated in workshops such as Chaquiras crafting, Afro-descendant cultural heritage, and Women in History, an important and meaningful addition to this year’s program.
Secondary students engaged in an equally enriching and diverse program. They took part in Vela Mola workshops, where they explored Guna cosmovision and the symbolism behind this art form; in tamborera sessions and Congo necklace crafting; and in traditional Panamanian popular dance workshops that deepened their connection to national folklore. Secondary also hosted cultural talks, studio-style sessions on artistic identity, and inquiry-based projects that allowed students to analyze Panama’s traditions through the lens of history, culture, and social studies.
As always, both the Upper Elementary Folkloric Gala and the Secondary Folkloric Gala were among the most anticipated moments of the week. Students from Grades 3 to 5 showcased their dances with pride and joy, while the Secondary gala featured performances where students collaborated with their families, creating an atmosphere filled with music, tradition, and community spirit.
This year’s Closing Ceremony held one of the most memorable surprises: a vibrant performance by the Diablicos Sucios, featuring none other than our Head of School, Mr. Lawrence Hill, and our Academic Director, Miss Indira Acosta. Their appearance, masks and all, delighted the entire community, especially when they revealed their identities on stage, making it an unforgettable end to the week’s celebrations.
At the Metropolitan School of Panama, our Panamanian Cultural Week continues to grow each year, offering students meaningful, hands-on experiences that bring learning to life and connect them deeply with the rich cultural identity of Panama. It is one of the many ways we celebrate who we are together.
Stay connected We will be sharing highlights and the official video of our Panamanian Cultural Week on our social media channels. Visit our platforms to experience the pride, joy, and learning that filled our campus.
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