Andina

Peru: Puno dances on the occasion Virgen de la Candelaria

17:11 | Puno (Puno region), Feb. 12.

Thousands of people gathered at Puno-based Enrique Torres Belon Stadium to enjoy magnificent performances of folk dance groups within the framework of Virgen de la Candelaria festivity.


Last Sunday, 85 groups took part in the regional contest of trajes de luces (traditional light costumes) to the rhythm of morenada, kullahuada, thinku, caporal, diablada, and sickuri

The said event kicked off at 7:00 AM (local time) and showed the great diversity of folk dances


It must be noted the festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria —Peru's most important religious celebration— was included in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2014.

This festival is a unique Andean celebration rich in symbolism and tradition, in which believers pay homage to their patron saint by singing and dancing.

This year, the contest saw a greater number of dancers and visitors


In this sense, the largest group included up to 1000 members, while the small ones consisted of 200.

Many dancers from several parts of the country and the world took part in this festival of lights, color, and faith with the sole purpose of venerating Virgen de la Candelaria.

(END) JCB/MAO/JAA/RMB

Published: 2/12/2018