La Fiesta Grande – (The Grand Festival)

Every year in the small town of Andacollo, Chile, thousands of people arrive from all around the world to celebrate La Fiesta Grande – (The Grand Festival). Paying homage to La Virgen del Rosario (The Virgin of the Rosary), the patron saint of miners, celebrants participate in a wide variety of religious ceremonies, dances, and services as well as sporting events and, of course, indulging in volumes of delicious foods and traditional drinks.

The Virgin is thought to be responsible for miracles and good deeds in the town, including intervening in a smallpox epidemic in the 1800′s, healing a slave’s wounded stomach, and finding lost miners. The residents of Andacollo are so fond of La Virgen Del Rosario that they honor her every week in a procession where they carry her statue throughout the town square.

Image via Wikipedia

But the main action is December 23rd-27th, when the festival takes place. Thousands of people pour into the town, mostly on foot, to witness the spectacular event. Over 200 dance troupes participate in thrilling the crowd with both ancient and modern dance. Donations to the virgin are so numerous that a separate museum has been set up with numerous displays including a large amount of Chinese dolls and vases.

If you happen to be in Chile in December and attend the festival, make sure to check out the wide variety of chilean snacks served there, including empanadas stuffed with stewed beef and onions, ham and cheese sandwiches, shellfish pastries, and the sandwich de palta which is stuffed with hearts of palm, avacado and tomato.

You can lodge at the Hotel Francisco De Aguirre in La Serena if you attend the festival: http://www.chile-hotels.com/faguirre.htm. For more information on Andacollo, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andacollo.

3 Responses to “ La Fiesta Grande – (The Grand Festival) ”

1. Hate s says:

   October 17, 2011 at 12:14 am

   Nice Blog! Have subscribed for more

   Reply
2. Hate spam says:

   October 17, 2011 at 3:03 pm

   Found your site on google, very interesting read

   Reply
3. Alexander G. Ordaz says:

   February 18, 2012 at 3:40 am

   The Grand Festival in Chile What a Great Colorful Time, I Have been There Enjoy !! Alex O.

   Reply