Ministry of Culture rejects racist comments against Peruvian artist Tilsa Tsuchiya

After the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCR) put into circulation a new S/200 bill with the image of the Peruvian artist Tilsa Tsuchiya, many people questioned the change of Santa Rosa de Lima. In the face of constant criticism and racist comments, the Ministry of Culture issued a statement, strongly rejecting these actions.

In its statement, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture rejected the misguided comments about the image of the Peruvian artist Tilsa Tsuchiya Castillo. In addition, he highlighted the importance of her work in favor of the dissemination of art in Peru.

“Rejects racist comments towards the image of the Peruvian artist of Japanese and Chinese descent, Tilsa Tsuchiya Castillo on a national circulation bill, which reflect the persistence of stereotypes and prejudices that affect Asian-Peruvian citizens; pigeonholing them into certain job characteristics and roles in our society,” the statement begins.

“Attitudes like these confirm that, in Peru, racism and ethnic-racial discrimination constitute a problem that affects not only indigenous and native peoples and the Afro-Peruvian people, but also other identities that confirm our culturally diverse country,” adds the letter.

Likewise, the statement highlights that Tilsa Tsuchiya, born in Supe, was an artist who “stood out for harmonizing pre-Columbian art, popular culture, indigenism and Quechua mythology with her Asian origins, which led her to be considered one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

The statement from the Ministry of Culture highlights that discrimination in Peru constitutes a crime, so they will take the appropriate legal measures. In addition, he encouraged citizens to promote respect and equal treatment among Peruvians.