A new mural celebrating the cultural ties between Jamaica and Peru was unveiled on Tuesday, March 11 at Harbour Street in downtown Kingston’s Art District. Titled ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ the artwork was created by Jamaican artist Michael Elliot through a collaboration between Kingston Creative and the Embassy of Peru in Jamaica.

Centre, Ambassador of Peru Mario López Chávarri, Secretary of the World Trade Centre Panana (Far right) and guests at the mural unveiling of ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ in downtown, Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Our Today/ Olivia Hutchinson)

Ambassador of Peru Mario López Chávarri, who officiated the unveiling ceremony alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, described the mural as a representation of friendship, integration, and cooperation between the two nations. He noted that it intertwines symbols from both countries, including Peru’s Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines hummingbird, alongside Jamaican mountains, musical instruments, and the Jonkonnu character Pitchy Patchy.

(L) Guest with Executive Director, Kingston Creative, Andrea Dempster Chung, and Jamaican artist Michael Elliot. (Photo: Olivia Hutchinson)

“This mural is a reminder from Peru to Jamaica, united also in art and culture, in traditions and knowledge,” López Chávarri said. He also announced that the Peruvian Embassy in Jamaica, which had closed in 1989, is expected to reopen in the second half of 2025.

Executive Director of Kingston Creative, Andrea Dempster Chung, highlighted the importance of artistic and cultural collaboration in revitalising downtown Kingston. “Art unites people across borders, and in these times, we at Kingston Creative feel that art has an even more important role to play, to remind us that there is more that unites us than divides us,” she said.

Executive Director, Kingston Creative, Andrea Dempster Chung Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith at the mural unveiling of ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ in downtown, Kingston on Tuesdsay, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Our Today/ Olivia Hutchinson)

Kingston Creative, an arts nonprofit focused on developing Kingston as the creative capital of the Caribbean, has partnered with several international organisations to promote Jamaica’s culture. The collaboration with the Embassy of Peru adds to the district’s growing collection of outdoor murals, enhancing the space for both locals and visitors.

Jamaican artist Michael Elliot at the mural unveiling of his work ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ in downtown, Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Our Today/ Olivia Hutchinson)

Elliot, looking at his artwork with pride, noted the different elements used to showcase comradery and history between the two countries.

“This piece features different symbols, the lama, the birds, the Inca chief, the hummingbird, that both Peru and Jamaica share as their national bird and many more,” he said.

López Chávarri closed his remarks with an invitation for Jamaicans to visit Peru, stating, “Peru awaits you.”

More photos from the unveiling ceremony:

The mural unveiling of ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ in downtown Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Our Today/ Olivia Hutchinson)

The mural unveiling of ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ in Downtown, Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Our Today/ Olivia Hutchinson)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, Ambassador of Peru Mario López Chávarri at the mural unveiling of ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ in downtown, Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Our Today/ Olivia Hutchinson)

Artist Michael Elliot, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, Ambassador of Peru Mario López Chávarri at the mural unveiling of ‘Meet Me in the Mountains of Peru,’ in downtown, Kingston on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Our Today/ Olivia Hutchinson)