Peru is a heartfelt visual dedication to the people and animals who have shaped the land of Peru.
Moved by the spirit of the country, San Francisco-based photographer Brian Flaherty created this series of portraits during a recent trip with his wife. Forgoing a road-map and plans, the pair roamed the country and were delighted with the natural wonders of the land, and the overwhelming warmth of its people. The photographer and his wife took a guided trek through the Andes, stopping in small, remote villages along the way. They found that the local people offered a wealth of hospitality, welcoming the pair warmly despite language barriers. The faces seen within Flaherty’s portraits are well-weathered and marked, showing generations of people accustomed to conditions that seemed extreme and unfamiliar to the traveling couple. Flaherty was particularly touched by the overwhelming sense of community he felt, with a palpable sense of “togetherness and selflessness evident throughout the trip.”
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Throughout his journey, the photographer was continuously moved by the country and its people who put their “bodies, hearts, and souls into their work”; a contrast to the culture of consumerism and individualism promoted by other countries. Peru gives a glimpse into an alternative way of living and a diverse and genuine network of people who embrace a different lifestyle, despite the harsh environments they live in.
21 interesting facts about Peru
- Peru is located in South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile.
- The official language of Peru is Spanish, but there are also several indigenous languages spoken, including Quechua and Aymara.
- Machu Picchu, the famous Incan ruins, is located in Peru and attracts millions of visitors each year.
- The Peruvian currency is the Sol.
- The Peruvian Amazon Rainforest covers 60% of the country’s territory and is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
- Peru is the world’s largest producer of cocaine.
- Ceviche, a popular seafood dish made with raw fish marinated in lime juice, originated in Peru.
- Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is located on the border of Peru and Bolivia.
- The Nazca Lines, a series of ancient geoglyphs in southern Peru, are best viewed from the air.
- The Peruvian national symbol is the vicuña, a type of South American camelid.
- The Andes Mountains run through Peru and are the longest continental mountain range in the world.
- The Peruvian national football team has never won a World Cup, but they have qualified for the tournament five times.
- The potato was first cultivated in Peru over 7,000 years ago and there are over 4,000 varieties grown in the country.
- The Peruvian national anthem has 158 verses, making it one of the longest in the world.
- The Peruvian Paso horse is a unique breed known for its smooth gait and graceful movements.
- The city of Lima, the capital of Peru, is one of the largest cities in South America and has a rich colonial history.
- The Peruvian dessert known as suspiro a la limeña, or “sigh of Lima,” is a sweet milk custard topped with meringue.
- The Peruvian national dance is the marinera, a lively and colorful dance that originated in the northern coastal region of the country.
- The Andean condor, one of the largest birds in the world, is native to Peru and other countries in South America.
- The Peruvian national holiday, Independence Day, is celebrated on July 28th and 29th.
- Peruvian cuisine is a fusion of indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian influences and is considered one of the most diverse and flavorful in the world.
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