Feria del Sol (Mérida) facts for kids
The Feria del Sol (which means Fair of The Sun in English) is a big, international festival in Mérida, Venezuela. It happens every February, at the same time as the carnival celebrations. People also call it the Carnaval Taurino de América (Bullfighting Carnival of America). This exciting festival includes many fun activities. You can see bull competitions, cultural shows, and trade fairs. There are also live concerts, colorful parades, and sports events. A very popular part of the festival is the contest to choose La Reina Del Sol (The Queen of The Sun).
The History of Feria del Sol
The city of Mérida, also known as the City of the Knights, has a rich history in Venezuela. However, it didn't have big festivals like other cities such as San Cristóbal or Barquisimeto. A group of people who loved bullfighting had an idea. They wanted to build a Plaza de Toros (Bullring) in Mérida. This would allow Mérida to have its own bullfighting events and a major fair.
The first fair was planned for December 9 and 10. This date was chosen because it was close to a religious holiday. Famous bullfighters from different countries came to participate. However, heavy rain stopped the first day's events. So, on the second day, two bullfighting shows were held. One was in the morning and another in the afternoon. This was the first time this had ever happened in the same bullring in Venezuela.
Feria del Sol Becomes a Carnival Event
The fair wasn't held in December 1968. Instead, a bullfighting event took place on April 13, 1968, during Holy Saturday. After this, organizers decided to move the fair to February. They wanted it to happen at the same time as the well-known carnival celebrations. This is how the Feria del Sol got its name and became a carnival event.
The first bullfighting carnival under the name Feria del Sol happened in 1969. It featured three bull shows from February 15 to 17. Since then, the Feria del Sol has grown a lot. It is now one of the most important festivals in Venezuela. It is also famous in the world of bullfighting.
See also
In Spanish: Feria Internacional del Sol para niños
