Festival of San Lorenzo facts for kids
The Festival of San Lorenzo is a big religious celebration that happens every year in Tarapacá, Chile. It's a special time when people come together to honor Saint Lawrence. In 2011, about 70,000 people joined in the fun!
Saint Lawrence was a kind deacon from Spain. He lived a very long time ago and is remembered for his strong beliefs. He passed away on August 10, 258, in Rome. The festival celebrates his life and his dedication.
When Does the Festival Happen?
The exciting festival starts every year on August 6th. This is when many religious dancers begin to arrive in Tarapacá. They come from different towns nearby. Some of these towns include Iquique, Calama, Arica, Alto Hospicio, and Tocopilla.
Recently, people from Antofagasta have also started coming. They often set up tents and camp out in the city during the festival. It's a huge gathering of people celebrating together!
Amazing Dances and Faith
One of the most popular parts of the festival is the amazing dances. Different Catholic dance groups perform these special dances. They do this to show their respect and worship for Saint Lawrence. It's a beautiful way for them to show their faith and devotion. The dances are colorful and full of energy!
Challenges Faced by the Festival
Sometimes, big events have faced challenges. In 2005, the festival was not quite normal. This was because of a strong earthquake that happened earlier that year. Even with the damage, the main temple of San Lorenzo was rebuilt. This showed how important the festival is to the community.
Later, in 2013, there were many cases of influenza. Because of this, special health rules were put in place at the festival. This helped keep everyone safe.
In 2020, the festival had to be cancelled. This decision was made by Guillermo Vera, who is the bishop of Iquique. It was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was to protect everyone's health and safety.
