Since the early morning tens of troupes participated in the great parade and worship activities held in honor of Virgen de La Candelaria on the festival’s central day.
Contestants started to march along the streets at 8:00 AM (local time). Troupes will dance across a 2.26 kilometer-long stretch wearing colorful costumes and filling the environment with joy and religious fervor.
So far, the "Gran Diablada" Incomparable Cultural Association led the Dancing Light Costumes contest having reached 55.40 points.
Meanwhile, "Diabla Bellavista" Spectacular Folkloric Association held the second position (55.30), followed by Diablada Centinelas del Altiplano, Morenada Laykakota and Morenada Bellavista.
However, such results could vary throughout the day, since the contest has not concluded yet.
Celebrated each February in the city of Puno, the traditional festival includes activities of religious and cultural characters that draw on Catholic traditions and symbolic cultural elements of the Andean worldview.
(END) JCB/MAO/HMC/MVB