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Oruro Carnival
Year 1 | Edition 1 | July 2011
About this journey…
To be in Bolivia is a unique and incomparable experience, but to be in Oruro Carnival is INCREDIBLE! Some years ago a friend of mine spoke to me about this place and celebration. Around the world people talk about the cel-ebrations in Brazil, but not so many people talk about this Heritage of Humanity.
Oruro is a city in Bolivia located between La Paz and Po-tosi. It was founded on November 1st in 1606 with the name of “Villa Real de San Felipe de Austria” as a center of silver mining in the Urus region.
This carnival is the result of a mixture of culture and re-ligion over the last 2000 years that has sprung creativity, color, and music fused in a crucible of beliefs, joy, and celebration.
Photos by: Lucho Zúniga.Logo: Reinaldo Fernández.Graphic design: Susy Alas.English translation: Colin Porter
Oruro CarnivalBolivia
In 2001 this wonderful celebration was declared a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.
This city is considered the folkloric capital of Bolivia and the celebration is considered an expedition to the sanctuary of the virgin Socavon. To the virgin the people of Bolivia surrender themselves and offer this colorful celebration the weekend before Ash Wednesday in accordance with the Catholic religion.
The patrons and devotees of this carnival begin to prepare in November when the themes and ideas are conjured to view of the next celebration.
The African influence in Bolivia is repre-sented by dancers adorned in faces of black paint and costumes.
The intricacy and detail of masks and costumes is an incredible sight to see.
Musical bands resonate with all their force during the parades, overwhelming the senses to the max.
The festivities include 48 different folkloric groups distributed into 16 specialties of dance. Included in these groups are the favorites Diabladas and Morenadas.
If you are a lover of tradition and cele-bration then missing out on the 50,000 dancers and musicians would truly be regrettable.
The Diablada Urus makes the atmosphere explode come nightfall during the 48 hours of music and color.
Time, rain, hunger, nor exhaus-tion can tame the volcano of spirit of celebration.
There is so much energy and good vibe during the parade the Earth seems to shake and dance with the passing of thousands of dancers and the ceaseless waves of music.
Life is a journey...ENJOY IT!
Buenos AiresNext journey ...
Beloved, arrogant, and elegant… The city, sweet and salty, of diurnal and nocturnal energies is of the most vibrant cities in the world. There is not enough time to understand it… not enough time to spoil it…
Full of art and life; this city is one of the greatest 20 on Earth. The word “boredom” does not exist here, it has simply been lost in the immensity of streets, sights, sounds, and dancing.
This city located next to the Rio de La Plata… this city of gold… Buenos Aires Aires Aires is coming soon in August.
ContactME:Lucho Zúniga.