Fun and festivities in Peru - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

The people of Peru love holidays and celebrate them on a grand scale. New Year is traditionally celebrated on January 1. According to the traditions established by the Spaniards, Christmas trees are installed. Santa Claus gives gifts to children. Fairs are held in many cities. Injun rituals like the worship of the moon give flavor. The old year effigy is burned in some places. The celebration is accompanied by fireworks and concerts. Lima's founding week begins on January 18. Conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded Ciudad de Los Reyes on this day. This place was named Lima among the local population later. Residents of the capital celebrate the foundation of the city. The celebration is accompanied by dances, processions, concerts, and shows. The Marinera dance festival takes place in La Libertad in January. This folk dance has incorporated both features of dances of pre-Columbian civilizations, as well as Spanish and even Gypsy dances.

An unusual date is celebrated on the first Saturday in February. It is a Day of Pisco Sour. Peruvians drink strong national Pisco drink from the XVI century. The cocktail based on it was invented relatively recently - about 50 years ago. The locals came up with the idea of honoring it in a special way in 2004. People taste cocktails and have fun all over the country. The Grand Traditional Carnival takes place in January-March. It consists of separate processions that are held on different days. This carnival is considered one of the oldest in the world. Participants dress up in traditional costumes, dance, and sing.

The Nazca desert is located in the Ica region. The local wine festival takes place here in March. Guests of the festival taste local wine varieties and celebrate the grape harvest. The festival has been held since the 50s of the last century. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The celebration of Holy Week usually falls in April. A strange mixture of local and Catholic customs is observed during its celebration in Peru. Scenes from the life of Christ are interspersed with folk dances, shows, processions, and parades. Religious processions pass through the streets on Easter. Festive services are also held in churches.

A new holiday appeared in Peru recently. It is initiated by the government. It's Rum Day. It is celebrated on the first Saturday in June. It is aimed at popularizing this drink. The ancient Inca festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi) is also celebrated in June. The holiday is associated with the winter solstice. It was banned by the Catholic Church. But its second birth was in 1944. Ceviche, a traditional Peruvian snack of raw fish, is so popular that a separate holiday is dedicated to it. It is celebrated on June 28.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel is honored in the small town of Paucartambo on July 16. This is another example of mixing Andean traditions and Catholic customs. In fact, this is the biggest party in the country, despite the fact that it is a religious holiday. A huge number of people arrive in the tiny town. They sleep in the open air. Independence Day is celebrated on a grand scale on July 28. General Jose de San Martin declared Independence from Spain in 1821. Peruvians have two days off on the occasion of this memorable date. They are celebrated by fairs, street festivals, concerts and, of course, a parade. Rosa of Lima is the first local Saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Her memory is honored on the day of her death on August 30. Isabel Flores de Oliva, nicknamed Rosa, earned the fame of a Saint during her lifetime. She dedicated her life to God and his good works.

The spring festival is held annually in Trujillo in September. The city is decorated with flowers. Parties, concerts, and fashion shows are held. Peruvian cuisine has become extremely popular around the world in recent decades. It is considered delicious and healthy. The Mistura Food Festival is held in mid-October in Lima. It attracts food fans from all over the world. The anniversary of the battle of Angamos is celebrated on October 8. The troops of Chile and Peru took part in it. The procession in honor of Christ the Wonderworker takes place in Lima in October. The entire city was destroyed during an earthquake in the XVIII century. Only the miraculous image survived.

All Saints' Day is celebrated on November 1. It is an organic mix of Catholic and pagan traditions. Peruvians bring snacks and drinks to cemeteries. They spend the whole night in vigil and conversation. The festival called simply Puno Days begins in Puno on November 5. This marks the birthday of the first Inca Manco Capac. He was the founder of the state. Bullfighting takes place in Lima in November. Matadors from all over the world come to the city. A special breed of bulls for fighting is raised on ganaderia farms. The Acho arena for fighting was built in Lima in the XVIII century.

Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24. A grand fair is held in Cusco. It's called Santuranticuy. This translates as "sale of saints". In fact, this is a craft fair where all sorts of figurines of saints are sold. Christmas is celebrated with the family on December 25. Everything is traditional – a Christmas tree is placed and a Turkey or sweet bread is served on the table.