Event, Festival activities in Bolivia
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Alasitas
During Inca times the Alasitas ('Buy From Me' in Aymará, in Spanish it's Comprame) fair coincided with the spring equinox (September 21), and was intended to demonstrate the abundance of the fields. The date underwent some shifts during the Spanish colonial period, which the campesinos weren't too happy about. In effect they decided to turn the celebration into a kitschy mockery of the original.
'Abundance' was redefined to apply not only to crops, but also to homes, tools, cash, clothing and, lately, cars, trucks, airplanes and even 12-story buildings. The little god of abundance, Ekeko ('dwarf' in Aymará), made his appearance and modern Alasitas traditions are now…
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La Festividad de Nuestro Señor Jesús del Gran Poder
Held in late May or early June, La Festividad de Nuestro Señor Jesús del Gran Poder began in 1939 as a candle procession led by an image of Christ through the predominantly campesino neighborhoods of upper La Paz.
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Ayamará New Year
The Ayamará New Year is celebrated across the Altiplano around June 21, the longest and coldest night of the year. Festivities feature huge bonfires and fireworks in the streets, plus lots of drinking to stay warm.
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San Juan
San Juan is the Christian version of the solstice celebration. The solstice celebrations are most lively at Tiahuanaco.
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Independence Day
This lively public holiday sees lots of gunfire in the air, parades galore and mortar blasts around the city center.
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Virgen del Carmen Holiday
The patron saint of La Paz department gets her own public holiday, which includes many dances and parades.
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Fiesta de la Cruz
The Fiesta de la Cruz is celebrated over the first weekend in May all around the lake, but the biggest festivities are in Copacabana.
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