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Peruvian Fiestas : Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI

The celebration of Corpus Christi used to be celebrated in the whole country, but the Fiesta is most impressive in Cusco. Fifteen saints and virgins, organized in several processions, arrive from different places to the cathedral of Cusco where to came to “greet” the body of Christ, sixty days after Eastern Sunday. During the day you can hear the sounds of the María Angola, the biggest Church Bell of Peru, built during XVI century by Diego Arias de la Cerda. The night before the main day twelve tipical dishes are prepared and consumed, including cuy chiriuchu, beer, chichi (tipical local beer) and bread.

The procession on the main day takes places at around 11:00am. The Plaza de Armas will be crowded with people that came to see the saints. After the procession, the saints go back to the cathedral and the representatives of the local communities come together and discuss local problems.

After seven days (el octavo), the saints participate in the procession again before going back to their places where they will remain for the rest of the year. Corpus Christi is a very colourful and traditional ceremony. For the foreign visitors an excellent opportunity to taste Peruvian traditional culture real close.