After more than a year and a half without cultural life on stage, the Parque de la Exposición in Lima was the host of the first massive open-air concert in person in Peru.

With limited seating capacity and all the necessary safety protocols, a concert for 1,000 people was held on Saturday, July 17 with the goal of reactivating the music industry affected by the health crisis. The initiative of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Lima "for the reactivation of music," tests the idea of the safe return of culture.

The pilot show featured five bands from the country with the intention of economically reactivating the sector, but also to raise "people's spirits." 

The concert had all the safety protocols in place to boost the reactivation of the cultural industry.

The protocols used are the same as those established for the performing arts approved last year. Before entering the venue, organizers took the temperature of the attendees, checked the use of the double masks and sprayed attendees hands with disinfectant gel. Attendees were also given a bracelet that determined where they stayed in the audience. The artists, technical staff and production managers also underwent COVID clearance tests.

"(This concert) is a very important proof that, with all the safety protocols, we can begin to have more massive events, which are important, beyond the economic reactivation, to also reactivate the mood of the people and especially the cultural world," Culture Minister Alejandro Neyra told EFE.

The event was launched "fortunately at the lowest point" of the pandemic, said Neyra and during the month of the bicentennial of Peru's independence. The "Activando Cultura" program is part of the celebrations for the country's 200 years of independence — a series of artistic activities to be held in public spaces in different regions of the country.  

Starting at 3 p.m., the audience enjoyed performances from DJ-Chemical Neon, Amaranta and the group, Olaya Sound System. In the evening, many danced salsa to the rhythm of the orchestra Son Tentación and the show closed with the cumbia group, Armonía 10.