Corpus Christi Festival Cusco Today's celebrations in Cusco mark the 464th uninterrupted procession of Corpus Christi in the Andean city. The celebration has been called “the festivity of Cuzquenians” due to the massive participation of all social groups, rich and poor. The Corpus Christi Festival Cusco is the longest-running religious festival in the Americas, celebrated every year since 1547. Celebrating in Cusco Cusco’s is a distinctive Corpus Christi celebration compared to others across the Catholic world in that it is an expression of Andean Catholicism, also called “popular” Catholicism in current religious studies, which is defined by the amalgamation of indigenous traditions into Catholic ritual. Corpus Christi was first introduced in the Americas as part of the policy of Evangelization to convert the population of the New World into Catholicism, and during this process many aspects of native belief system were incorporated into the newly imposed religion. In Inca tradition, for instance, the mummies of dead ancestors would have been paraded around Cusco's main square, and this idea is continued in Cusco's corpus Christi processions. Read our top tips for enjoying Corpus Christi Festival. Processions The celebration consists of a series of processions that include fourteen life-size Saints and Madonnas from different parishes around the city of Cuzco, in addition to the Monstrance in a tabernacle made of solid gold placed on an 18th century silver carriage. People devote a large amount of time to the celebration, the artistic display involved in the decoration and adornment of the images and their litters, which are always most lavishly appointed. Jubilant music and dance accompanied by special food and drinks embody the party that follows the processional parades. Read more about Peru's most important festivals and events with our handy guide and free festival calendar.
Corpus Christi Festival Cusco Today’s celebrations in Cusco mark the 464th uninterrupted procession of Corpus Christi in the Andean city. The celebration has been called “the festivity of Cuzquenians” due to the massive participation of all social groups, rich and poor. The Corpus Christi Festival Cusco is the longest-running religious…
If you’re in London next week, well then Aracari will be too: Marisol Mosquera is assisting with Tasneem Gallery's exposition at PINTA LONDON 2011, The Modern & Contemporary Latin American Art Show. With an exciting array of art from across the continent, PINTA demonstrates just how boisterous the Latin American Art scene is at the moment. And Tasneem Gallery’s exposition will contemplate the diversity of Latin American art, a reflection of the region’s long and vibrant history incorporated with current social and economic dynamics. Aracari’s involvement with the show marks our continued connection with the thriving contemporary Art scene in Lima; amongst those who are exhibiting with Tasneem Gallery are our friends and Pablo Patrucco and Margarita Checa. Both are renowned Peruvian artists; the former’s paintings try to bring new light over such every day objects in Lima as garbage, public transport and icons of popular culture, while the latter’s work focuses on the energy and posture of the human figure, chiefly making use of such materials as wood and bronze. The show will be held from Monday 6th to Thursday 9th at Earls Court Exhibition Centre (Brompton Hall, Warwick Road, Earls Court, London, SW5 9TA). More details can be found below or on Tasneem Gallery’s Facebook page. Previous Aracari ventures promoting Peruvian Art in London include a talk by Marisol entitled Mystery and History at the Instituto Cervantes. You can read the blog about that here. Aracari will also be collaborating with Tasneem Gallery on a Collective of Contemporary Peruvian Art which will open on November 11th in Barcelona. You can find out more about that event if you attend PINTA next week or alternatively please do contact us. We are also in the process of developing a tour that will focus on contemporary art in Lima and that
If you’re in London next week, well then Aracari will be too: Marisol Mosquera is assisting with Tasneem Gallery’s exposition at PINTA LONDON 2011, The Modern & Contemporary Latin American Art Show. With an exciting array of art from across the continent, PINTA demonstrates just how boisterous the Latin American…
Question: Which Peruvian Coffee is known for being the best coffee in the world? Answer: Tunki Coffee is the Peruvian Coffee known for being the best coffee in the world after it was voted as such by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 2010. The coffee is grown in the Puno region of southeastern Peru by the farmer Wilson Sucaticona. His plantation, which covers only 3 hectares of land, is located in the Sandía valley in the high rainforest region. The coffee beat other contenders from countries such as Colombia, Kenya and Guatamala, and since winning the prize it has become very popular worldwide. Peru is becoming increasingly renowned for it's coffee: it is the World's biggest producer of certified Organic coffee and it has secured a booming trade across the globe by retaining very competitive prices. The ideal climate for coffee growing can be found on the Eastern slopes of the Andes moving into the rainforest, as the climate turns warmer in the higher reaches of the Amazon. Big producing areas are Chanchamayo, Quillabamba and Northern Peru. If you are in Lima, perhaps the best place to try and buy Tunki coffee is at Arabica Espresso bar on Recavarren near Park de Kennedy in Miraflores. This has become a very popular café amongst locals as it is renowned from sourcing coffee only from the best Peruvian plantations. As well as the location in central Miraflores, Arabica are soon to open a second venue on the plaza municipal of Barranco.
Question: Which Peruvian Coffee is known for being the best coffee in the world? Answer: Tunki Coffee is the Peruvian Coffee known for being the best coffee in the world after it was voted as such by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 2010. The coffee is grown in…
While in the Cusco region, I recently took the opportunity to hike the Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay trek, a fantastic 6 day trek to Machu Picchu that sees partakers staying each night at comfortable lodges in between walking along a stunning route that passes beneath the snow covered peak of Salkantay amongst other marvels. The Salkantay trek is one of the most popular alternative treks to Machu Picchu. Here's my review of the experience. Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay Trek View all of our Peru Luxury Trekking options Day 1: Cusco to Apu Salkantay We started out from Cusco in the morning and headed toward the town of Mollepata. Along the route we took the opportunity to have a look at the protagonist of this trek; Apu Salkantay. We also stopped for a look at the Inca ruins of Tarawasi, an interesting complex situated in a fertile valley. It is believed that this may have been a trading post between the highlands of Cusco and lower lands towards the coast. The usual arrangement of excellent stone masonry was aplenty. After a quick lunch at Mollepata, we made one further road journey before beginning the trek. And todays trek was a good warm up! A nice, level path ... not too steep ... to acclimatise to walking at high altitude. All along the way we got closer and closer to the Humantay Glacier, beneath which the first lodge is located. The glacier ... which has purportedly significantly receded in the last few decades ... provides a fantastic view for the 3-4 hours of trekking today. As we approached the first lodge, suddenly the tremendous peak of Apu Salkantay also made its appearance. It was a little clouded today but still incredible in the sparkling bright sunlight. Overnight at the Salkantay Base Lodge (3,850m / 12,700ft) Arriving at the
While in the Cusco region, I recently took the opportunity to hike the Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay trek, a fantastic 6 day trek to Machu Picchu that sees partakers staying each night at comfortable lodges in between walking along a stunning route that passes beneath the snow covered peak of Salkantay amongst other…
Question: What shapes and animals did the Incas depict in the Milky Way? Answer: The Incas depicted a shepherd, a fox, a partridge, a toad, a serpent and a llama with a baby llama amongst other shapes in the Milky Way, which they referred to as "Mayu" (or "river"). Rather than seeing these shapes as being outlined by stars as is a well-known practice with constellations in Western astronomy, these figures were seen in the dark shaded parts of the Milky Way. Stars were still important, too. For example they denoted the two eyes of the Llama and the fox. The painting above, which can be found in the Koricancha Sun Temple in Cusco, shows some of the shapes that the Incas depicted in the dark spots of the Milky Way. The Incas and peoples before them had a very sophisticated understanding of astronomy. Many aspects of Inca buildings have been found to have be used specifically for observing the skies above, and it is known that the Incas had a very detailed knowledge of the movement of the sun, the moon and the stars in accordance with the seasons and the time of year. This was based on centuries of observation of the skies and stringent record keeping. Inca Astronomy observations were assisted by the design of specially shaped stones which can be found throughout Inca archeological sites such as Machu Picchu and Pisac. Far from just observing the skies, the Incas judged the best time to grow crops and predicted the weather based on the positioning and brightness of stars. Their perception of the skies translated into every day life, religion and decision making.
Question: What shapes and animals did the Incas depict in the Milky Way? Answer: The Incas depicted a shepherd, a fox, a partridge, a toad, a serpent and a llama with a baby llama amongst other shapes in the Milky Way, which they referred to as “Mayu” (or “river”). Rather…
Peru is famous for its rich culture and colorful festivals, Qoyllur Rit'i festival is an impressive high-altitude pilgrimage in the Cusco region. Qoyllur Rit'i Festival This festival is held annually on the north face of Ausangate mounta, on the Sinakara glacial mountain. A world-renowned pilgrimage, it involves a rigorous trek and 2 or 3 nights camping at high altitude, with a high point of around 4,700 metres - although some dedicated revellers will climb right up next to the glacier at 5000 metres. Worshiping Apu Ausangate Mountain The festival, which is attended by as many as 50,000 Peruvians, entails the worship of the "Apu" and Lord of Qoyllur R'iti at the same time, merging the traditions of native religion and Catholicism: there is a legend that an image of Christ appeared here in 1780 to a shepherd boy named Mariano Mayta. The festival has been shown several times by the the BBC as well as other major Television programmes and documentaries. This year's Qoyllur Rit'i will be held between Saturday, June 18th and Tuesday, June 21st with Corpus Christi on Thursday, June 23rd. Read more about the best festivals in Peru and when they take place Apu Ausangate Even if you don't visit for the tough pilrgimage for Qoyllur Rit'i, it's still possible to enjoy the wonder of the scenery of Apu Ausangate either by hiking one of the lodge-to-lodge Ausangate trek routes around the mountain, or with a multi-day camping trek. Read more about all of Aracari's Peru trek options.
Peru is famous for its rich culture and colorful festivals, Qoyllur Rit’i festival is an impressive high-altitude pilgrimage in the Cusco region. Qoyllur Rit’i Festival This festival is held annually on the north face of Ausangate mounta, on the Sinakara glacial mountain. A world-renowned pilgrimage, it involves a rigorous…
