The 10 best events in Latin America
Chile, Bolivia, Argentina... These distant countries fascinate as much by their beauty as by their culture. Throughout the year, popular festivals and cultural events attract many visitors to Latin America. We are of course thinking of the famous carnivals, from Rio to Oruro! Essential, they are the reflection of a festive and colorful society. But if you look closely, you could almost find a party every day, from Mexico to Chile... To make it easier for you, Petit Futé has selected the 10 best events in Latin America for you.
N° 10 – San Benito festivities, Venezuela
A Catholic saint from Palermo, Sicily, San Benito is said to be a descendant of slaves of African origin. Recognized by the Church as the author of many miracles, he is the object of a real cult in the western states of Venezuela where many festivities are devoted to him between December and January. The traditional dance called giros de San Benito is one of the most colorful traditions in the whole country, the dancers take place around a stake around which ribbons are tied and they fly in a very graceful way. To discover !
N° 9 – Folklore Festival of Cosquín, Argentina
In total, more than 300,000 people are expected each year at the largest folk music festival in Latin America. Cosquín, a small village in the province of Córdoba, is the scene of this great gathering which lasts nine nights at the end of January. This is an opportunity for Argentines and visitors to (re)connect with their traditional, very lively culture. Attention, the festival is emblematic of the campo , that is to say the “Argentine province”. You won't see any tango there, a typically Portègne dance!
N° 8 – The parade of Chagras, Ecuador
The chagras are the cowboys of the Andes. In the region of the Cotopaxi volcano, in Ecuador , their parade is a real tradition: the horses are dressed in colorful fabrics and the riders show off their best period costumes. Initially, this gathering consisted of leading the cattle convoy to the pastures. It is in the city of Machachi, known to be the capital of chagras, that the tradition is strongest today. In a breathtaking setting, riders parade on their incredible mounts to the delight of visitors.
No. 7 – Day of the Dead, Mexico
The Day of the Dead is very important in Mexico . On November 1 and 2, families get together and exchange very special gifts: skulls made of sugar or tequila. All then go to the cemetery where they eat, dance and sing on the graves before offering the offerings. This practice dating back to the Aztec era is very widespread in Mexico , flowers and candles are brought to the deceased before being kept company. In the houses, altars are erected with, inside, skulls representing the deceased. A truly intriguing party!
N° 6 – The traditional festival of San Antonio de Areco, Argentina
Since 1939, every year in November, San Antonio de Areco has been transformed into a real gaucho sanctuary. Gauchos are Argentinian cowboys who are part of the traditional culture of the Pampas. On the program: equestrian parades, shows, rope weaving, craft markets... This is an opportunity to discover a part of Argentine history in a festive atmosphere that brings together more than 30,000 visitors each year!
No. 5 – Barranquilla Carnival, Colombia
No, it's not just Rio that can boast of its carnival! The city of Barranquilla in Colombia also has colorful festivities, classified as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. Multi-ethnic and warm, this carnival in the image of the Barranquilleros is one of the most beautiful in the world. For four days, the city lives to the rhythm of the rumba before Joselito, the carnival man symbol of joy and celebration, dies!
N° 4 – Festivals of Tapati Rapa Nui, Chile
Every year, Easter Island revives its traditions during the Tapati Rapa Nui celebrations in February. Annexed to Chile, Easter Island nevertheless has a very specific culture, the result of its great geographical distance. On this land at the end of the world, two clans clash during festivals. The events take up the traditions of the island, from body painting to ritual songs and the creation of handicrafts. The opportunity to discover the mysteries of Rapa Nui...
N° 3 – Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun in Cusco, Peru
This religious ceremony takes place every June 24 in Cusco , it celebrates the winter solstice. In the past, it took place after several days of fasting and sacrifices were made to offer them to the Sun god. Long banned because it was considered pagan by Catholics, Inti Raymi was reborn in 1944. Today, participants sacrifice an alpaca before embarking on impressive traditional dances and songs!
N° 2 – The Carnival of Oruro, Bolivia
This is Bolivia's big event! The Carnival of Oruro mixes spirituality and folklore. Musicians, singers and dancers come from all over the country to pay homage to the so-called Pachamama, the earth goddess! The dance of the diablada is fascinating, it represents the confrontation between the forces of hell and those of the angels. The two camps are represented by dancers who perform complex figures in costumes that are each heavier than the other. Unforgettable!
N° 1 – The mythical carnival of Rio, Brazil
How to dissociate Rio from its dazzling carnival ? More than a party, it's a real institution. The whole city is in turmoil for a week, to the rhythm of samba schools coming to compete to obtain the title of "Carnival Queen". The costumes of the baianas, all in rhinestones and sequins, amaze the cariocas and visitors ready to dance all night long!
Source: websites