La Asunción, a Venezuela colonial jewel where tradition is painted on the walls

Hello, dear international community, I hope you are all well and enjoying a weekend of positive energies. On this side we are fine thanks to God. I am writing to you with a heart full of emotion to share an experience that I recently lived in my homeland, Margarita Island, Venezuela and that reminded me how powerful the connection between art, tradition and community can be. I know that many of you are far away, but I hope these words bring you a little closer to the essence of what we are here in the Venezuelan Caribbean.  Yesterday, together with my friend Yamile and her family who are on vacation in Margarita Island, we decided to visit La Asunción, capital of the state of Nueva Esparta. This small colonial town, full of history and spirituality, is one of those places that seem to be stopped in time, with cobblestone streets, old houses and a church that is a symbol of faith for the whole region.   Our intention was not to directly attend the fairs held in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption, but simply to take a walk through the historic center so that they could get to know it, especially at night, when everything is dressed in a special light. But what we found was much more than a sightseeing tour.  Upon arrival, we discovered that the entrances to the church and the square were closed, so we parked a little far away and walked towards the center. It was then when we found a real surprise, the surroundings of the church were being intervened by a group of artists who are part of a cultural association with presence throughout Venezuela, this is called "Ciudad Mural". This organization was selected to make artistic murals in honor of the insular identity and they chose precisely La Asunción as the stage for this new sample of urban art.    The murals were in the process of being created and we had the opportunity to talk with some of the painters. They told us that each work was born from their own creativity, inspired by images, memories and emotions that Margarita Island evokes in them. The painting process lasts between five and six days and the official inauguration of these works was scheduled for today, with the presence of a jury that will select the winning murals.   What touched me most was the passion with which these artists spoke about their work. For them, it's not just about painting walls, it's about telling stories, honoring traditions, connecting with the community. Each mural is a window into the soul of the island, a way of preserving collective memory through color and form.   This artistic project is not exclusive to La Asunción. In fact, the artists have traveled to 12 other regions of Venezuela, leaving their mark in squares, churches, schools and public spaces. It is an initiative that seeks to democratize art, bring it closer to the people and turn every corner of the country into a living gallery.   As a Venezuelan, I was deeply proud to see how art and devotion intertwine in such a symbolic space as the historic center of La Asunción. And as the hostess of Yamile and her family, I was happy to be able to show them a facet of our culture that goes beyond conventional tourism: an authentic, spontaneous and deeply human experience.   To those who read me from other countries, I invite you to look at Venezuela with new eyes. Beyond the headlines, there is a country that vibrates with its people, with its art, with its faith. And in places like La Asunción, that essence manifests itself with a beauty that needs no translation.