Overview:

is an annual celebration of the Virgen del Carmen (Virgin of Carmen), the patron saint of Paucartambo, Peru. The festival is held every year on July 16th in the town of Paucartambo. During the five-day celebration, the townspeople can be seen in brightly colored traditional attire, while dancers perform traditional dances. Other festivities include a large parade, where pilgrims carry icons of the Virgin throughout the streets. There are also fireworks, which symbolize the joy of the procession and signify the end of the festival. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Peru
Prominent Features:

The Virgen del Carmen Festival in Paucartambo, Peru is a celebration of the patron saint of the town. Taking place every July, this well-attended festival features processions, traditional dances, and music. Pucacartambo is known for the abundance of butterflies that gather in July, coinciding with the celebration, often appearing during the procession of the images of the Virgin Mary and Christ. The colorful butterflies lend an extra layer of spectacle to the festivities. In addition to the procession, dancers dressed in brightly-colored costumes perform a traditional dance called the "Tinkuy," a Quechua word that translates to "meeting." As part of the numerous festivities, feasts are held and fireworks are set off. The town also boasts a beautiful Puerto Rican-style church where the procession leaves from. In addition to the religious aspects, the town also celebrates and preserves its cultural traditions. The festival has also become an important factor in tourism in Peru, with thousands flooding to this mountainous region to partake in the celebration every year. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Peru.

History:

The Virgen del Carmen Festival is an annual religious celebration held in the highland village of Paucartambo, Peru since the 17th century. In 2009, the festival was declared a Cultural Heritage of Peru. It is celebrated each year on July 16th, and is locally known as La Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen. The festival celebrates the day Santa Rosa de Lima was declared the patron saint of Paucartambo in 1680. On this day, the people of Paucartambo gather around a chapel in the town square and the statue of the Virgen del Carmen is carried around in procession accompanied by brass bands and colorfully dressed dancers. After the procession, locals and visitors alike enjoy traditional Andean music, food and dancing. Traditionally, the night before the procession is also an occasion for many merrymaking, with singing and dancing in the streets. The highlight of the festival is the unique “Folkloric Battle” between two groups of soldiers. The day after the procession, handpicked members of two teams with historically distinct costumes –the Reds and the Blues –face off in a simulated battle. Fire crackers add to the dramatic effect created by the battle and the rally that follows. Local and international tourists flock to Paucartambo to witness the annual festival and participate in the merriment. The town is full of energy during the festival and the streets are abuzz with music, dancing, and colors. The Virgen del Carmen Festival is an important part of living Andean culture and is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Visit one of the famous monuments of Peru with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. This traditional festival is celebrated in the small Peruvian village of Paucartambo, located at an altitude of 3,670 meters above sea level, on the 16th of July every year. 2. The festival honors the Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of the province. According to tradition, the village is guarded by three sister entities called “Carmenitas” (little Carmens), representing the three communities – the Doncellas, Damas Panacas, and the Payeses. 3. The festival begins with a procession, where the three entities carry the Virgen del Carmen while wearing traditional costumes and singing, playing music, and dancing. 4. Later on in the festival, people gather in a public square to take part in the Pesca del Carmen (Carmen’s Fishing). This is a symbolic fishing game, where wooden dolls representing the Virgen del Carmen are retrieved from a pool of water. 5. The festival also features the folklore dances of the area, like the “Dance of Devils”, which is a parody of the devil, witches and all the folk tales of the region. Additionally, there is also the dance of “Gringos”, which is a dance of imported elements of Spanish culture. 6. As the festival comes to a close, the Virgen is re-dressed and carried in a procession to the chapel in the town's main square, accompanied by colorful flowers and shouts of joy. One of the historical monuments of Peru, it tells the story of a bygone era