Lucho Mueckay, a lecturer at ESPOL’s Faculty of Art, Design and Audiovisual Communication (FADCOM), has been honoured with two major awards that recognise his contribution to the development of the performing arts and culture in Ecuador. The first is the Killa Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Association of Performing Arts (ASO-ANAE) in tribute to his extensive and distinguished artistic career.
This award, whose name derives from the Kichwa word ‘killa’ (‘moon’), is presented annually to recognise the dedication and contribution of those who have made a significant contribution to the country’s theatre and performing arts. The award ceremony took place during a cultural event that included the launch of the Theatre Anthology, tributes to renowned figures in Ecuadorian theatre, and dramatised readings by theatre students from the Central University of Ecuador.
Mueckay was also honoured for his career and contribution to the cultural development of Sala La Bota, a venue located on the Malecón del Salado which celebrated its ninth anniversary with a programme of events open to the public. Throughout the day, artists, cultural organisers and members of the public took part in activities featuring music, dance, theatre, visual arts and exhibitions, highlighting the venue’s role as a key hub for promoting local talent and providing access to the arts. Born in Guayaquil, Luis Enrique Mueckay Arcos is one of the most prominent figures on the contemporary Ecuadorian arts scene.
In the 1990s, he was one of the driving forces behind contemporary dance and movement theatre in the city. His artistic training began in Mexico, where he discovered new expressive possibilities in dance and the art of movement that would shape his approach to the performing arts and his subsequent contribution to the country’s cultural development. These two honours highlight a career built on creation, research and artistic training, and reaffirm Lucho Mueckay’s legacy as a leading figure in the Ecuadorian performing arts and as a teacher committed to training new generations of artists at FADCOM-ESPOL.
© Photograph: Courtesy / Text: José Luis Castro
