Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria
Puno, Peru
The feast of the "Virgen de la Candelaria" begins on the eve of the 2nd of February and last until the first Sunday after that day, and ends one week after continuing with the celebration of the Carnivals. On February 9th the folklore parade is celebrated. The groups, which paraded days before, on the 2nd, now return for a procession before the Virgin, who will gaze them from the atrium of the church. Then, folk groups set off through the city, dancing tirelessly until sunset. At the end of the week the feast ends in the cemetery, for the paying of respects of the dead.
The statue of the Virgin is small, and it represents a virgin of very white complexion and blushed cheeks. This Virgin is harbored in the Church of San Juan El Bautista.
In the afternoon the virgin statue leaves the church, and more than forty groups attired in the costumes and masks classic in the culture of altiplano dance, join crowd.
On the main day, February 2, the virgin is led through the city in a colorful procession comprising priests, altar boys, the faithful, Christians and pagans carefully maintaining the hierarchy. This is the moment when the troupes of musicians and dancers take the scene, performing and dancing throughout the city.
From GO2PERU's Website
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria
Puno, Peru
The feast of the "Virgen de la Candelaria" begins on the eve of the 2nd of February and last until the first Sunday after that day, and ends one week after continuing with the celebration of the Carnivals. On February 9th the folklore parade is celebrated. The groups, which paraded days before, on the 2nd, now return for a procession before the Virgin, who will gaze them from the atrium of the church. Then, folk groups set off through the city, dancing tirelessly until sunset. At the end of the week the feast ends in the cemetery, for the paying of respects of the dead.
The statue of the Virgin is small, and it represents a virgin of very white complexion and blushed cheeks. This Virgin is harbored in the Church of San Juan El Bautista.
In the afternoon the virgin statue leaves the church, and more than forty groups attired in the costumes and masks classic in the culture of altiplano dance, join crowd.
On the main day, February 2, the virgin is led through the city in a colorful procession comprising priests, altar boys, the faithful, Christians and pagans carefully maintaining the hierarchy. This is the moment when the troupes of musicians and dancers take the scene, performing and dancing throughout the city.
From GO2PERU's Website