Calendar Of Festivities Of Cusco
Discover a list of fantastic festivals in Cusco. So much of Peru is based on a agrarian culture, insuring good Harvests and fertility of their herds is of paramount importance. Visit: https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com/
Discover a list of fantastic festivals in Cusco. So much of Peru is based on a agrarian culture, insuring good Harvests and fertility of their herds is of paramount importance. Visit: https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com/
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<strong>Calendar</strong> of <strong>Festivities</strong> in <strong>Cusco</strong><br />
CARNIVAL – Variable days in February – starts 40 days before Easter Sunday<br />
One of the largest festivals in South America, made famous by the parades in Rio, Carnival is<br />
celebrated a bit differently in Peru. The biggest show is in Puno (an 8-hour bus ride south of <strong>Cusco</strong>)<br />
with dazzling costume competitions and parades honoring The Virgin of Candelaria, where they<br />
play music and dance in the streets until they quite literally drop! In <strong>Cusco</strong>, Carnival is celebrated<br />
more with water. If you are in the plazas, expect to get drenched with water blasters and balloons,<br />
and sprayed with silly string and foam. No one is immune, but if you are armed with any of the<br />
afore-mentioned items, you are considered fair game! Join in the fun – and bring a change of<br />
clothes!<br />
SEMANA SANTA (Holy Week/Easter Week) all of Peru but most notably in <strong>Cusco</strong> and Ayacucho<br />
This is the week before Easter, and in <strong>Cusco</strong> starts on Monday with “Señor de los Temblores” or<br />
Lord of the Earthquakes – also known in <strong>Cusco</strong> as The Black Christ. In 1650 there was a terrible<br />
earthquake in <strong>Cusco</strong> with much damage and many aftershocks. Particularly interesting is this<br />
holiday’s fusion of Catholic and Inca beliefs. The Black Christ is housed inside of the <strong>Cusco</strong><br />
Cathedral, built upon the ancient Inca foundations of the Wiracocha Temple (Wiracocha is the Inca<br />
Creator God). In 1650 the Black Christ statue was carried in procession through the streets, just as<br />
the Incas used to parade the mummies of their Incas and high priests before the Spanish outlawed<br />
this custom, and miraculously the earthquakes stopped. So many candles were burnt beneath the<br />
statue in gratitude that it is now permanently blackened. Today The Lord of the Earthquakes is still<br />
paraded through the streets while the onlookers throw bright red ñucchu flowers (salvia<br />
esplendes), as they did in ancient times as an offering to their Pre-Colombian god, Wiracocha, now<br />
symbolizing the blood of Christ. The Main Plaza in <strong>Cusco</strong> is jam-packed with people during Monday<br />
evening with barely room to move! Peruvians love to celebrate!
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