A symbol of freedom: Panama's 'Wounded Flag' will be restored in Spain

For generations, the so-called Wounded Flag of Panama (one of its most important historical symbols) has been protected as what the country considers it: a treasure. For Panama, the flag is a living testament to freedom, unity, and national pride. And now, it's in Madrid . The action is part of a joint effort between Panama and Spain to protect a central piece of their history. But let's take it step by step.

The Wounded Flag is one of the most fundamental emblems of Panama's separation from Colombia in November 1903 , and was handcrafted and hand-sewn. Its unusual name has a reason, as there is a visible perforation in the canvas that, according to legend and oral tradition, was due to a jubilant shot fired during the independence celebrations. It is considered the first flag raised by the Panamanian people in the city of Chitré (Herrera province) at the time of separation and independence.

Now, thanks to the institutional cooperation between the country's Ministry of Culture, the National Commission of National Symbols (CONASINA), the Ernesto J. Castillero R. National Library, and the Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute, the flag will undergo a specialized restoration process in Spanish laboratories, with the highest technical and scientific standards. The collaboration between the two countries represents a significant milestone in their cultural diplomacy and aims to strengthen the historic ties that unite both nations.

Arrived last May 26th

The flag was kept at the Fabio Rodríguez de Herrera Museum and was first taken to a reserve before leaving for Madrid on May 26. The restoration will take an estimated 18 months, and during this time it will be treated as a living heritage asset (considered vital for social cohesion and the preservation of cultural diversity). The restoration process not only seeks to preserve its textile structure, but also to safeguard the historical memory it represents for the Panamanian people.

“Restoring this flag means weaving together, with respect and delicacy, the shared history that unites our countries. Culture and heritage are bridges of understanding, commitment, and peace,” declared Panamanian Minister of Culture María Eugenia Herrera.

The restoration process not only seeks to preserve its textile structure, but also to safeguard the historical memory it represents.

This initiative is part of the national program " Operation Wounded Flag ," whose objective is to rescue, preserve, and disseminate the tangible symbols of Panamanian republican identity . Once restored, the flag will be displayed again at the Fabio Rodríguez Ríos Museum in Chitré , reaffirming the fundamental role of the people of the interior in the 1903 feat.