The festival of the Virgin of Candelaria attracted the attention of foreigners after it received recognition from UNESCO. (Infobae composition: Shutterstock/Tierras de los Andes)
For some time now, religion has been present in the history of humanity and, above all, in the minds of people from different latitudes of the world. From the Ancient Age, characterized by being polytheistic, to the Contemporary Age, a stage in which theists, non-theists and pantheists converge, spirituality has manifested itself in different ways.
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In contrast to the religious fervor of people who seek a balm in a church, mosque, synagogue, pagoda, mandir, gurdwara, Taoist temple, fire temple – places of worship of different world religions – there are people who affirm that God does not exists and that the true divine entity is man. Likewise, there are individuals who claim that religions are not vital to living.
The debate about whether religions are necessary will endure over time, since we live in a world full of contradictions that become evident, for example, when talking about religion. However, despite the divided opinions on this issue, religious festivities continue in different countries under the tolerant gaze of citizens who respectfully observe the festival.
The Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria includes events of a religious, festive and cultural nature. (Andean)
One of them is the festival of the Virgin of Candelaria, which is celebrated every February 2 in Peru and countries in America and Europe. But let’s focus first on the national territory, whose historical monuments and homes in Puno have witnessed this celebration that includes religious, festive and cultural events.
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Most people experience a feeling of satisfaction when watching the dancers perform their dances with passion and listening to the melodies from the Aymara and Quechua culture in the month of February. They not only limit themselves to observing, but also venerate the sacred image, which is found in the San Juan Bautista temple, located in the city of Puno.
The festival of the Virgin of Candelaria attracted the attention of foreign citizens after it received recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). As is known, this organization gave it the distinction of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a fact that filled Peruvians with pride.
Puna dancers waste their talent in the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria. (Infobae Composition: Andean)
Peru is not the only country whose inhabitants witness a manifestation of religious syncretism. Citizens of American countries have also demonstrated their faith and devotion to the Virgin of Candelaria, while putting traditions and customs into practice. Now, before mentioning the countries that celebrate this holiday, it is important to make known the history of its origin.
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On the island of Tenerife, Spain, two Guanches saw a small wooden image of a woman while shepherding their flock. This object amazed them because it had all the features of the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, this event occurred in 1392, the year in which the ancient aborigines of the island began to believe in this image.
According to what is said, one of the residents was able to notice that the lady was carrying a child in her right arm and carrying a candle in her left hand. As for her height, she could tell that the object was one meter tall. This story can be questioned, but the truth is that from that date, the islanders began to believe in the Virgin Mary.
As time went by, this belief was transmitted to other peoples in Europe and America, the latter continent being inhabited by Spaniards in the 15th century. Precisely these Europeans imposed their culture, language, religion and system of government on the indigenous populations, who were subjected to an intense acculturation process.
On February 3 and 4, dancers will participate in a competition, which will take place in Puno. (Infobae Composition: Andean)
Despite this, many indigenous traditions, languages and cultural practices survived and continue to this day. These cultures adapted and mixed with the cultural elements brought by the Spanish, giving rise to a diversity of mestizo cultural expressions on the continent.
Almost a century after the arrival of the Spanish, specifically on February 2, 1583, the image was brought to Peru from Cádiz or Seville. It should be noted that the dedication to the Virgin of Candelaria was one of the tools that the Spanish evangelizers used in the Peruvian highlands. Its objective was to promote Christianization in the Andes.
In Mexico, the tradition of Candlemas Day invites those who find the baby Jesus hidden in the Three Wise Men’s bagel to assume the role of godfather or godmother. The people who found the sacred object undertake to present it to the church for blessing. This custom is practiced on February 2, where it is traditional to serve tamales and atole to attendees, in a ritual that reinforces community and family ties.
In Chile, devotion to the Virgin of Candelaria extends to various places, manifesting with special relevance in the Church of San Antonio located on Mancera Island in Valdivia, as well as in mining sectors in the north of the country and in the city of Copiapó. , where there is a sanctuary dedicated to this religious figure. The records of the cult of the Virgin date back to 1645, evidencing a long tradition of veneration.
The manifestations of faith towards the Virgin of Candelaria are not only limited to Mancera Island, since in the town of Mincha, commune of Canela, there stands another temple that brings together numerous faithful under the same devotion. It should be noted that devotion and religious fervor are also manifested on February 2.
Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria in Chile. (The Repuertero)
The city of Medellín, located in Colombia, is known for having a cultural and religious heritage, tracing its original name to ‘Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín’. This fact not only reflects a historical connection with its traditions but also explains the presence of the Virgin on the municipal shield. The importance of the Virgen de la Candelaria as a patron figure also extends to other Colombian towns.
Since its founding, Medellín has been linked to the Virgin of Candelaria, a fact that is evident in the choice of Our Lady of Candelaria to baptize the first Cathedral of what today constitutes the Archdiocese of Medellín. This construction not only served as a place of worship but also as a meeting and union point for the inhabitants, who venerate the sacred image any day of the year, but especially on February 2.
In France, the tradition known as La Chandeleur, also popularly called Crepe Day, brings together families and groups of friends around the tasting of this dish. Through this celebration, which takes place both in private homes and in gastronomic establishments on February 2 of each year, the French honor the Virgin of Candelaria.
On February 2 of each year, the French honor the Virgin of Candelaria by tasting crepes. (cocinafrancia.com)
Chandeleur has its roots in the practice of using surplus wheat from the previous harvest to make crepes, associating this act with attracting prosperity and good luck for the coming year.
Finally, it is necessary to point out that the festival of the Virgin of Candelaria is not only celebrated in the countries mentioned in previous paragraphs. Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela also venerate the sacred image and practice traditions that fill them with joy.
The expectation to see the dancers at the National University of the Altiplano stadium on February 3 and 4 continues to rise. Thousands of tourists are in the city of Puno to participate in the cultural event that fills Peruvians with pride. In this sense, it is important to highlight that 134 groups from the Aymara and Quechua areas will be present at the sports venue to participate in the native dance contest. This information was released by the Regional Federation of Folklore and Culture of Puno.
The artistic groups will make their appearance on February 3 and 4 in a place dedicated to sports. Below, we present some of the groups that will squander their talent over these two days.
- LURIGUAYOS CULTURAL FRATERNITY THE COMPANIONS OF YUNGUYO (February 3)
- “WAPULULOS DE LAMPA” CARNIVAL (February 3)
- UYWA CH’UWAS CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF THE JATUCACHI PEASANTS COMMUNITY – PICHACANI (February 3)
- FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE CARNIVAL OF PUSI – COFOCAP GREAT FAMILY – HUANCANÉ (February 3)
- INTITUSOQ DE LENZORA – LAMPA (February 3)
- CHACALLADA POTOJANIGRANDE SET – CHUCUITO (February 4)
- MILLENNIUM ART CULTURAL GROUP SICURIS MUJU MARKA – MOHO (February 4)
- CHACALLADA YOUTH BRISAS DEL LAKE LUQUINACHICO – CHUCUITO (February 4)
- LOS TENIENTES DE INCASAYA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION – CARACOTO (February 4)
- WIFALAS CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PEDRO VILCA APAZA AYRAMPUNI-SAN ANTONIO DE PUTINA DISTRICT (February 4).