Katara inaugurates Ecuadorian Art Corner showcasing origins of cocoa
With historical artifacts as old as five millennia, pavilion showcases rich history of cocoa cultivation in Ecuadorian nation
DOHA, Qatar (MNTV) – The Katara Cultural Village Foundation has unveiled the Ecuadorian Art Corner, a significant cultural exhibit that highlights Ecuador’s rich cocoa heritage.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the VIP Hall in Building 16 of Katara, was presided over by H.E. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara Cultural Village Foundation.
The event was attended by H.E. Pascual Del Cioppo, Ambassador of Ecuador, alongside several esteemed diplomats and heads of diplomatic missions.
The Ecuadorian Art Corner, situated in the lobby of the VIP lounge at the Katara Opera House, serves as a tribute to Ecuador’s historical and cultural significance as the birthplace of cocoa.
A key feature of the exhibit is a 5,500 years old ceramic vessel, an artifact representing the earliest known example of cocoa domestication and consumption.
This vessel, originally crafted by the Mayo-Chinchipe people of the upper Amazon Basin in southeastern Ecuador, was discovered by a team of French researchers in 2022.
The artifact is one of four copies of the original piece that have been distributed worldwide, symbolizing Ecuador’s enduring legacy in cocoa cultivation.
During the ceremony, H.E. Pascual Del Cioppo extended his gratitude to Katara for hosting and supporting this distinguished cultural initiative.
He emphasized that the Ecuadorian Art Corner will serve as a permanent exhibition, offering visitors insight into Ecuador’s rich history, particularly its role as the historical cradle of chocolate.
Ecuador’s legacy in cocoa cultivation dates back over 5,500 years, with the region near the Andes serving as the earliest known source of cocoa.
This historical significance reinforces Ecuador’s status as the world’s original home of chocolate, a distinction that remains integral to the nation’s cultural heritage.
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