A handcrafted tribute to life: the Terlaque de Nariño will be the statuette of the 10th Open Passport Award

As part of the 10th edition of the Open PassportAward international ceremony, to be held in August 2025 in Nariño, Colombia, a unique handcrafted statuette is being created to honor the natural and cultural richness of southwestern Colombia: the Terlaque de Nariño.

This emblematic piece represents the Andigena laminirostris, the official bird of the department of Nariño, democratically chosen by popular vote and now considered a natural and cultural symbol of the region. The Terlaque not only represents the area's biodiversity but also the creativity of its artisan communities.

The piece is being crafted by master artisan Angélica Chiles Hidalgo, a renowned artist from Nariño, at the Tamo de Oro workshop, famous for preserving and promoting the ancestral technique of enchapado en tamo. Each statuette is hand-carved from cedar wood and delicately decorated with plant fibers forming intricate patterns, following a unique artisan tradition found only in Colombia.

The  "Terlaque de Nariño" will thus become a symbol of distinction awarded to the recipients of this international recognition, which honors leaders in tourism journalism committed to truth, sustainability, culture, and life in all its forms. Through this award, each honoree takes home a piece of Nariño’s history, dedication, and beauty.

Angélica Chiles began her journey in straw marquetry in 1996 as a way to support her family. Since then, she has spent decades perfecting her technique, exploring new designs, and passing on her knowledge to family members and apprentices. Today, her workshop is a space of creation, memory, and cultural transmission. Her eldest son, trained in the craft since childhood, is now studying architecture, a testament to how artisanal art can open life paths.

The statuette of the 10th Open Passport Award is more than an object: it is a declaration of principles, that craftsmanship is living art, that nature inspires, and that territories speak through the hands of those who inhabit them.