Chiviri facts for kids
The Chíviri is a lively and popular festival held in the Spanish town of Trujillo, Cáceres. It started a long time ago, at the beginning of the 19th century, as a special way to celebrate the end of Easter on Resurrection Sunday.
On this day, the main square of Trujillo becomes a busy meeting place. People dress up in traditional regional clothes. They sing, dance, eat, and drink to the beat of popular songs. The day after, Easter Monday, is a holiday in the city. It's a tradition for people to go to the countryside for a picnic on this day.
What Happens at Chíviri
The festival starts early on Easter Saturday and continues until the next day. At noon, a band plays popular tunes in the Main Square of Trujillo, Cáceres. More than 15,000 people come to enjoy the fun!
Some people wear special costumes that are typical of the city. Others wear a red scarf around their neck. Everyone dances and sings along to the rhythm of the music. The festival lasts all night, and after the main celebration in the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), people continue the fun in other places around the city. On Sunday, the festival keeps going in the Plaza Mayor until the evening. Then, a special event called the International Folklore Festival takes place, which is a concert of folk music.
Chíviri Songs
The songs sung at the Chíviri festival are mostly based on the works of a poet from Trujillo named Gregorio Rubio Mariño. People knew him as Goro. He wrote these songs between 1917 and 1936, and they were first created for Carnival celebrations.
Here is an example of a song:
Trujillo in Easter, I do not know what it resembles,
oh, chiviri, chiviri, chiviri, oh, chiviri, chiviri, Chon.
The outsiders come and gatecrash just like fish,
oh, chiviri, chiviri, chiviri, oh, chiviri, chiviri, Chon.
Gregorio Rubio Mariño
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Chíviri para niños
