Fiesta de La Tirana facts for kids
The Fiesta de la Tirana is a huge yearly festival in a small town called La Tirana. This town is in the Tarapacá Region of northern Chile. The festival happens every year on July 16. It celebrates the Virgen del Carmen, who is a very important figure in the Catholic faith.
This festival is the largest religious celebration in Chile that takes place in one specific location. It draws a massive crowd, with about 200,000 to 250,000 visitors during the week of celebrations. This is a huge number, especially since the town of La Tirana usually has only about 1,200 people living there.
What Happens at the Festival?
Dancing is a very important part of the Fiesta de la Tirana. Many different dance groups and pilgrims come to perform. They dance to show their respect and devotion to the Virgen del Carmen.
Getting Ready for the Celebration
The festival officially begins when the doors of the "temple," or church, in La Tirana open on July 10. Dance groups start arriving and performing their "entrada" (entry dances) from July 11 to July 14. Each dance group has a specific time slot for their entry. They also follow the same order when they leave at the end of the week.
The First Dance
Before entering the main church, each dance group performs at a plaza. This plaza is located at the entrance of the town. Here, they dance in front of a statue called the Cruz del Calvario, or Calvary Cross. Usually, a priest is present at the Cruz Calvario. The priest formally welcomes and blesses each dance group as they arrive. This tradition marks the start of their participation in the festival.
See also
In Spanish: Fiesta de La Tirana para niños
