Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria in Puno, Peru
In this famous festival in Puno, musical bands and dancers from all over Peru surround the Plaza de Armas of Puno and surrounding streets to perform multiple parades and demonstrate their art.
In my opinion, one of the best festivities that I have had the privilege of attending, the joy you feel is infinite and contagious. So it is considered one of the most important of Peru and not for nothing was declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2014.
The festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria consists mainly of 2 competitions, one of musical bands and the other of folk dances such as: the diablada, morenada, sicuris, wacawacas, among other dances. These groups compete in their respective categories to win the award for best artistic performance.
More than 100 groups from all over Peru and some from Bolivia participate in this festival, which in total would be more than 45,000 dancers and musicians. One of the biggest festivities where our catholic influences and our high Andean culture are reflected.
The Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria is celebrated the first days of each February, normally it is celebrated every year, but due to force majeure issues such as the arrival of the coronavirus and the political situation of the country, it has been considered appropriate to cancel the festival for certain years, therefore, it is important to be aware of the official confirmation of different Peruvian institutions such as the Regional Federation of Folklore and Culture of the city of Puno, who opened the registration of musical bands and folkloric dance ensembles.
The parade of musicians and dance groups begins its journey for more than 15 blocks from the famous Arco de Deustua, passing through the Church of the Virgen de la Candelaria to reach the Plaza de Armas of the city of Puno.
One of the most impressive things that I take away from the Festivity of the Virgin of Candelaria is the drive and perseverance of the dancers and musicians, because despite the cold and sometimes rain, these participants continue to give the best of them and demonstrate their interest and love of art, dance and the Virgin of Candelaria. It is a privilege to see these dance and music professionals doing what they love the most.
Many do not know, but these participants do not receive any economic help from public or private institutions, they form groups to organize themselves and to be able to buy their own costumes, musical instruments, plane or bus tickets, their lodging and their living expenses. It is really a great effort that they make with passion and devotion to be part of the cast of the Virgen de la Candelaria. This festival attracts thousands of tourists from all over Peru and the world to Puno every year.
