This Month’s Anniversary Celebrations in Arequipa

August 11, 2012 Pirwa

Stopping by Arequipa this month? You’re just in time! Each August the storied White City of Arequipa celebrates its anniversary with contests, dance festivals, outdoor concerts. More than a hundred thousand international and domestic travelers are expected expected to arrive in the White City of Arequipa this month to take part in the city’s 472nd anniversary celebrations.

Musical artists will be arriving from diverse countries of the world to participate in some of the scheduled concerts, and there will be other cultural, artistic, sports, and social activities as well. The highlight, as always will be on the main day of celebrations, August 15th, when the Friendship Parade 2012 will take place.

Make sure to bring a hat and sunblock for the strong Arequipa sunshine, perhaps a lawn chair if you can get one, and stake out your spot along one of the main streets of the city and get ready for a spectacle of marching bands, dancers, floats, stiltwalkers, and more.

This parade lasts more than 12 hours and involves more than 120 artistic delegrations comprising 3,000 vibrantly dressed folkdancers as well as live musicians. They will present more than 50 traditional dances, many of which will be seen for the first time such as the Qantucchallay and Yacujuñuy, of the province of La Unión; The Witches of Huancarqui and Apuccllay of Castilla, among others. The further-flung provinces such as La Unión, condesuyos, Caravelí, and Castilla have confirmed their participation in the parade. The parade’s main objective, aside from general festivities and fun, is to rescue the traditional dances of the region, collecting and diffusing these customs to avoid their disappearance over time.

The parade route will begin in the Plaza España and will continue along the streets San José, Peral, San Camilo, Piérola, Santo Domingo, General Morán, Portal de la Municipalidad, Portal de San Agustín, Santa Catalina, Moral and San Francisco.

After the parade you can indulge in some of the treats the from the street vendors, perhaps some fried-dough buñuelos or grilled anticuchos. The Plaza de Armas will be filled to capacity in the night as musical groups and comedians entertain huge crowds.

In between festivities, sightseeing, treks through the world’s deepest canyons and the volcanos which surround the city, you’ll need a comfortable place to stay. Save some money at Pirwa Park Hostel Arequipa, relaxing in the patio in a hammock or deckchair, taking breakfast on the rooftop terrace with a view of the iconic El Misti Volcano, playing pool or ping-pong with fellow travelers, sampling drinks at the bar, or keeping in touch with friends and family thanks to the free computer use and wi-fi.

Pirwa Park Hostel Arequipa offers comfort, low prices, security, and a central location close to the ornate and memorable colonial buildings of the Main Square (Plaza de Armas).

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FOR AREQUIPA’S 2012 ANNIVERSARY

Thursday, Aug 9th
Arequipa Pisco Festival
When & Where: Palacio Metropolitano de Bellas Artes Mario Vargas Llosa on Aug. 9th, 10th, and 11th from 9am-5pm

Aug 11th
Festival of Adventure Ecotourism
Where & When: Valle Chilina (Santuario Virgen de Chapi) on Aug. 11^th and 12^th from 9am-3pm

Festival of Arequipeña Music “El Tuturutu Arequipeño”
Where & When: Teatro Municipal at 6pm

Monday, Aug 13th
Festival of Laughter and Illusion Parade
Where & When: In front of the Cathedral, 11am-3pm

Arequipeña Music Concert
Where & When: Plazoleta Campo Redondo del Barrio de San Lázaro at 6pm

Tuesday, Aug 14th
Entrance of the Ccapo
When & Where: Main Square (Plaza de Armas) at 3pm

Traditional Entrance of the Ccapo
When & Where: Main Square (Plaza de Armas) at 5pm

Serenade to Arequipa I
Artists: Los Dolton’s, Homero, Elmo Riveros, Maritza Rodríguez, Los Morunos, PBC Panter’s
Where & When: Palacio Metropolitano de Bellas Artes Vargas Llosa at 9pm

Serenade to Arequipa II
Artists: Orquestra de Leonard León, Sabor Fresco, Ruta Sur, José & José, Rosa Vento
Where & When: Av. La Marina at 6pm

Serenade to Arequipa III
Artists: Marisol, Corazón Serrano, Dilbert Aguilar, Dúo Gaitán Castro, Antologia
Where & When: Estadio UNAS at 9pm
MAIN DAY: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15th
Friendship Parade 2012
Route: Av. Lima, Av. M. Castilla, Av. Independencia, Jr. Victor Lira, Av. Dolores, Av. Andrés Avelino Cáceres
When: 9am