Thailand and Peru celebrate 6 decades of relationship by displaying 'Pucara Torito' statues in various locations throughout Bangkok.
The city of Bangkok is set to host the "Torito de Pucará: Peru and Thailand United by Art" sculpture exhibition, commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The exhibition, which showcases six large sculptures inspired by the traditional Peruvian Torito de Pucará, will be on display from July 12 to November 5, 2025, across five iconic locations in Bangkok.
The six sculptures, standing at 1.5 meters tall, are the result of a cultural exchange between Peruvian and Thai artists. Five were created by Thai artists, each interpreting the Peruvian heritage in their unique way, while one sculpture was crafted by a Peruvian artist as a direct representation of their culture.
The exhibition kicked off at ICONSIAM in Bangkok from July 12 to 16, 2025, where all six sculptures were displayed together. Following this, they will be exhibited across five additional locations in Bangkok, including Song Wat Road, Wat Pho, and other cultural spots.
The sculptures are inspired by the traditional Torito de Pucará, a sacred ceramic bull from Peru's Puno region. The bull symbolizes protection and prosperity and was designated as a National Cultural Heritage by Peru’s Ministry of Culture in 2019.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt joined Peruvian Ambassador Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazán at the launch of the exhibition. The Governor expressed his gratitude for the event and emphasized the importance of such cultural initiatives in enriching Bangkok’s art environment and fostering international connections.
The exhibition reflects the strong cultural ties between Peru and Thailand, celebrated through art that bridges their histories and mutual respect. It builds on recent successful collaborations such as the "Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands" ceramic painting exhibition held two years earlier and the "Qhapaq Ñan: The Great Inca Route" photographic exhibition from the previous year.
The public is encouraged to visit the six sculpture locations, take photos, and share them online with the hashtag #PeruMeetsThailand. Participants have a chance to win a round-trip ticket to Peru, promoting further cultural curiosity and exchange.
Governor Chadchart highlighted the key role of embassies in linking Bangkok with the world and underscored the strength of Thai-Peruvian cultural ties. The exhibition serves not only as an artistic dialogue between the two nations but also as an emblem of friendship and ongoing cultural exchange celebrated in various public venues throughout Bangkok.
The exhibition of six large sculptures, inspired by the Torito de Pucará, represents a cultural exchange blend between Peruvian and Thai artists, showcasing a unique interpretation of Peruvian heritage. The resulting art pieces, including those crafted by Thai artists and the Peruvian artist, will be displayed across diverse locations in Bangkok, including home-and-garden settings like Song Wat Road and Wat Pho, to interact with the local lifestyle and business environment.
The Torito de Pucará sculpture exhibition not only celebrates the strong cultural ties between Peru and Thailand but also nurtures ongoing cultural exchange, contributing to the enrichment of Bangkok’s art culture and fostering international relationships, thus highlighting the importance of such collaborations in uniting different economies and societies.
