Timpanogos Elementary students concluded a series of Hispanic Heritage Month visits from international representatives with Fernando Pérez, Consul General of El Salvador in Utah.
Speaking in Spanish, Pérez introduced students to El Salvador's culture, traditions and national symbols, inviting them to compare what they knew about the Central American country with their own experiences.
He began by asking students about their favorite foods, the weather and familiar American traditions, including Halloween and Christmas. The discussion led to the different customs and celebrations that shape life in El Salvador.
One example was La Cofradía de las Flores y las Palmas, a traditional celebration in Panchimalco where participants decorate palm fronds with flowers and wear traditional clothing. Pérez explained that the celebration was recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2025.
Pérez also introduced students to El Salvador's national trees, including the maquilíshuat, known for its pink blossoms, and the bálsamo. He discussed the Indigenous linguistic roots of the maquilíshuat's name, connecting the country's natural environment with its history.
Students received Salvadoran flags, stickers depicting traditional clothing and coloring materials featuring cultural symbols and national trees, giving them something to take home from the experience.
The visit followed earlier Hispanic Heritage Month conversations with Peruvian Consul General Yesica Fonseca Martínez and Baldomero Lago, Honorary Consul of Spain, alongside United Nations communications officer Felipe Queipo.
Together, the three visits gave Timpanogos students opportunities to practice their Spanish while learning about the distinct histories, traditions and cultures of countries connected by a shared language.
