Santa Cruz Celebrates the Virgin of Urkupiña Loudly with the Bolivian Community
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Bolivian community is celebrating the festival of the Virgin of Urkupiña with religious ceremonies, dances, and folkloric performances until next Saturday.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Bolivian community is celebrating the festival of the Virgin of Urkupiña in a big way! With the support of local authorities and the Los Calchenos brotherhood from Potosí, various events are taking place in the Salamanca district. It all started yesterday and will last until next Saturday. Religious ceremonies, dances, and an introduction to the folklore of Bolivians living in Santa Cruz await you at the Fatima Parish.
The mayor of the city, José Manuel Bermúdez, says that such festivals are not just a celebration of the traditions of the Bolivian community. They enrich our city and show that Santa Cruz is a welcoming capital that gladly accepts and respects the culture of other nations.
Councilor Purificación Dávila added that the unity of the Bolivian community in the Fatima Parish is proof that their organizations are strong and their connection to their roots is strong. She assured that the city council will continue to support initiatives that bring people together and make our city a meeting and celebration place for everyone.
The celebration began yesterday with a nine-day prayer service at the Fatima Parish. Today, Thursday, the events will continue at 8:00 p.m. And on Friday, on the eve of the main holiday, a mass will be held at 6:00 p.m., after which about 250 people will show their folk dances in Francisco Hernández Barroso Square.
The most interesting thing will happen on Saturday, August 16. The Holy Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a procession with the image of the Virgin of Urkupiña through the streets of Salamanca. It will be accompanied by traditional dance groups. From 2:00 p.m., the celebration will move to the square near the Fatima Parish, where about 350 dancers will perform a grand dance show in honor of the Virgin.
The festival of the Virgin of Urkupiña, which has been revered since the 18th century, is of great importance to culture and religion. She is called the "Patroness of National Integration." The celebration in Santa Cruz de Tenerife emphasizes how rich the culture of the Bolivian community is and how well it lives in the capital of Chicharrera.