UJ #17 - Traditional Peru

SEPTEMBER | INTERNATIONAL SPRING FESTIVAL
Peru has white cities, cities of kings and the navel
of the world. ide of the Sun. The northern part of the
country, on the other hand, is blessed with eternal
spring. Thus, each year, there is a festival to celebrate
this phenomenon,
ON SEPTEMBER 28TH 1965, CONGRESS
DECLARED TRUJILLO THE “CAPITAL OF
SPRING.”
Media
Trujillo, the third most important city in Peru, established
its importance before Inca times, as it was the centre
of development for the seminal Mochica and Chimu
cultures. The Villa de Trujillo was founded by Francisco
Pizarro on the 5th of March 1535. Today, Trujillo offers
a wealth of history, interesting architecture, and unique
customs, all of which are generously shared with the
world by its inhabitants.
the most exciting and highly anticipated of the festival.
In 1960, the parade finally got international recognition
thanks to the participation of foreign beauty queens who
share the stage with the local Queen of the Festival, a
young woman who is elected in a special ceremony
days before the activities begin. These days, the visiting
beauty queens spend their time between events touring
the main city sites and participating in charity work
Renzo Tasso / PromPerú
The decorated
themed floats
add fun and flair
to the parade.
Every September, Trujillo celebrates the International
Spring Festival; a 60 year-old tradition that remains one
of the city’s most anticipated. The event was originally
organized by the city’s Club de Leones – or Lion’s Club
– as means to raise funds and carry out philanthropic
activities. Nonetheless, today this festivity brings together
thousands of people – both local and international – to
enjoy a celebration that has come to represent the city.
Inspired by the United States’ Thanksgiving Day Parade,
on August 21st of 1950, the festival began to incorporate
a parade that transits the city’s main streets, and that
same year, the first themes float was debuted. Since
then, businesses have come to compete over who has
the best float, and these features have become some of
60
The Queen of
the Festival
on her float.