Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: Where in Bolivia is a Baroque Music Festival held every two years? The Answer: Every two years there is a Baroque Music Festival held at the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in south eastern Bolivia. The festival is a fantastic way to experience the diverse and multilingual culture of the region, with the recital of the works of a variety of classic composers such as Vivaldi, Handel, Bach and Purcell (to name but a few) as well as original compositions by local people in a remote part of the Bolivian rainforest. The festival was first conceived of after several thousand original sheets of music dating from the 17th and 18th centuries were discovered in the 1970's during the restoration of the six missions churches at Chiquitos and Moxos. Composed by both European and indigenous composers alike, the works embodied a precious cultural treasure, evidence of the dedication to musical tradition in these fabulously adorned mission churches. The missions were subsequently recognised by UNESCO as “monuments of the cultural heritage of mankind” in 1990. The idea behind the Baroque Music Festival is to preserve and promote the unique musical tradition of this part of Bolivia. Local people have had an outstanding ability to assimilate complex European musical instruments and scores, showcasing a unique musical revival taking place in one of the world’s least developed regions. And the fascinating concept of live classical music being played in this beautiful and diverse tract of nature is a joyous and glorious occasion, a real treat for those travellers who make the effort to attend. 2012’s festival, the ninth edition, will take place between the 26th of April and the 6th of May. Anybody interested in visiting should contact us to plan their itinerary, as Bolivia Travel Specialists we can not
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: Where in Bolivia is a Baroque Music Festival held every two years? The Answer: Every two years there is a Baroque Music Festival held at the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in south eastern Bolivia. The festival is a fantastic way to experience the diverse and…
The Question: Which Peruvian city celebrates its 477th anniversary today? The Answer: Founded by Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro on the 18th of January 1535, Lima today celebrates its 477th anniversary!! The occasion was marked with a large party in the central plaza last night to celebrate. The evening began with a fantastic spectacle: 400 different artists performed onstage to represent the diverse mix of cultures that characterise the city, including flamenco guitarists, provincial music groups, traditional dancers and paso horses. Revellers then counted down to 12 o’clock with a “grand serenade of lima” featuring music from the popular group la Sarita , the Creole singer Cecilia Barraza and the folkloric singer Amanda Portales. An eclectic history Lima was the prized and sumptuous capital of the sprawling Spanish colonial empire in South America from the 16th to 19th centuries, the administrative centre for vast swathes of land across several modern-day South American countries. Due to the proximity of the date to the Spanish holiday “dia de los reyes magos” or day of the three kings, it was given the name the ‘City of the Kings’. The city's past supremacy is revealed in its civil and religious buildings which still stand and are well-preserved, such as the Monastery of San Francisco, the Palace of Torre Tagle and the Plaza de Acho, the bull ring as well as many important churches. Photos of Lima in all its glory: One of the fascinations of Lima and Peru in general, is the concentration of ancient history in this area of South America. The origins of Lima pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, and the city is rediscovering its native roots. Its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations that flourished throughout the coastal deserts of Peru. Lima
The Question: Which Peruvian city celebrates its 477th anniversary today? The Answer: Founded by Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro on the 18th of January 1535, Lima today celebrates its 477th anniversary!! The occasion was marked with a large party in the central plaza last night to celebrate. The evening began with…
Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: Which world-renowned rally races its way into Peru for the first time today? The Answer: Having already sped through Argentina and Chile, the Dakar rally today enters the third and final country on the route; Peru. Day 11 of the 2012 edition sees drivers negotiate their way from Arica on the Peru-Chile border through the sparse and dramatic landscapes of Peru’s southern Andes, all the way to the city of Arequipa. Following this, on the final three days, competitors will speed through the sand dunes of Peru’s southern desert, past Nazca and Ica, before finally arriving in the capital city of Lima. Route of the Dakar 2012 edition Beginning in 1978, The Dakar was originally a race from Paris, France, to Dakar in Senegal, though it had to be relocated after the 2008 edition was cancelled because of political instability and security problems. This is the fourth year that the rally has been held in South America, and the event is set to stay here indefinitely. The rally, a test of endurance that is considered to be perhaps the world’s most authentic motorsports event, entails drivers of four different types of off-road vehicle – namely cars, truck, motorcycles, and quad bikes - negotiate their way through rough and extreme terrain, making South America an excellent venue. Above: Racers on Day 10 of the 2012 Dakar Having only passed through Argentina and Chile over the last 3 years, this is the first year that the event will travel to Peru. The competition kicked off in Buenos Aires on the 1st of January and lasts for a total of 14 days, covering a staggering total of 5,281 miles, with competitors arriving in Lima on the 15th of January for the winning ceremony. You can follow the final
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: Which world-renowned rally races its way into Peru for the first time today? The Answer: Having already sped through Argentina and Chile, the Dakar rally today enters the third and final country on the route; Peru. Day 11 of the 2012 edition sees drivers negotiate…
Bajada de los Reyes Festival Closely related to Christmas, the popular Spanish festivity known in Spain as “Dia de los Reyes magos” on the 6th of January is also widely celebrated in towns across the Andes. The celebration marks The Epiphany, which sees the visit of the three wise men, or the three kings, to the birthplace of Jesus. In Spain many families celebrate by giving gifts, much as the wise men did to the baby Jesus. The Ephiphany Celebrations As with many celebrations in the Andes, the celebration of “Dia de los Reyes magos” incorporates both native and colonial traditions alike. In pre-Columbian times, January was a very important month; being the height of the rainy season it brought water vital for growing crops, and joyous festivities marked the occasion. These celebrations subsequently became incorporated with the celebration of “Dia de los Reyes magos” that was introduced by the Spanish when they arrived in Peru; apart from anything else, there was the resemblence of giving gifts, much as the the rains gave the gift of nourishment and sustainance. Celebrating bajada de los Reyes festival in Ollantaytambo One of the biggest celebrations of the day is in the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Known as the Bajada de Reyes de Ollantaytambo, the occasion is marked with a colourful procession of El Niño Jesús de Marcacocha - the baby jesus from the church of Marcacocha - which is brought from the valley of Patakancha to Ollantaytambo on the day before, the 5th of January. Locals from communities in the surrounding hills and valleys descend on the town with the effigy of Jesus to take part in the festivities, which begin on the 5th and last throughout the night. Traditional Dancing On the 6th there is a full day of
Bajada de los Reyes Festival Closely related to Christmas, the popular Spanish festivity known in Spain as “Dia de los Reyes magos” on the 6th of January is also widely celebrated in towns across the Andes. The celebration marks The Epiphany, which sees the visit of the three wise…
Today the Aracari team paid a visit to a new handicrafts store in the Barranco neighbourhood of Lima; Casa Allpa. Featuring a wide range of high-quality handmade goods, such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery, Casa Allpa merges traditional handicraft techniques with sophisticated and innovative contemporary design. Natural materials are used in the wares, with baby Alpaca featuring prominently in the garments for sale. Although Casa Allpa have been export wholesalers to top department stores in Europe and North America for 25 years, this store in Barranco marks the first outlet for their products in Peru. The store opened on December 1st and has been very popular with local Barranquinos shopping over the Christmas period. The company works directly with artisans from across the country, generating new jobs and ensuring that artists recieve a fair wage for the work; the shop is also a part of the World Fair Trade Organisation. You can find out more on the Casa Allpa Facebook page, or visit the store on Jr. Centenario 195, Barranco. It is a part of a recently developed complex in Barranco featuring a range of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Today the Aracari team paid a visit to a new handicrafts store in the Barranco neighbourhood of Lima; Casa Allpa. Featuring a wide range of high-quality handmade goods, such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery, Casa Allpa merges traditional handicraft techniques with sophisticated and innovative contemporary design. Natural materials are used…
Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year - over the winter equinox in June - was a very important event in their calendar. Not least of all, the equinox marked the return of the sun from its farthest position from the earth and the beginning of longer days. Observing the Sun Huge importance was placed on the movement of the sun in Inca times, and it was the most significant god in the pantheon of Andean religion. The Incas and cultures before them tracked the movement of the sun using sophisticated measuring devices in the form of stone pillars. They placed pillars in exactly the position where the sun rose and set on the shortest days of the year – from the 21st to the 24th of June. Marking the winter equinox, the colourful spectacle “Inti Raymi” in the city of Cusco, or “festival of the sun”, is thought to have been one of the most important rituals in the Inca Empire, with celebrations lasting for as much as nine days. The ceremony was doused in rituals, which are believed to have entailed the Inca drinking Chicha de Jora – a type of drink derived from maize – to honour the sun. Ceremonies were held in the main plaza of Cusco, where pilgrims from across the empire would assemble. There was also much merriments in the form of feasting, drinking and dancing. Despite clandestine ceremonies taking place during the Spanish conquest, Inti Raymi was completely prohibited by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo in 1572 as a pagan ceremony opposed to Catholicism. Nevertheless, since the 1940’s, a theatrical representation has taken
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year – over the winter equinox in June – was a very important…
