The second non-recoverable national holiday of the year corresponds to carnival. The holidays will be Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February 2023, which connect with Saturday 18 and Sunday 19so it will be one of the longest holidays of the year.
Carnival, from the Latin carnem levare (to remove meat)occurs precisely during the three days prior to abstinence for the Catholic festival of Lent, with a variable date between February and March, depending on the year.
The origins of this festivity go back to ancient Sumer and Egypt, more than 5,000 years ago, with very similar celebrations at the time of the Roman Empire, from where the custom spread throughout Europe, being taken to America by Spanish and Portuguese navigators from the 15th century.
Mainly associated with countries with a Catholic tradition, it varies, and ours is no exception with popular rejoicing in which dances, troupes, foam, talc, paint and containers full of water predominate that is thrown to passers-by or among those who with unbridled joy share this custom.
In this way, several locations in Ecuador have put together an agenda for the carnival festivities of this 2023. One of these is Guayaquil, where various activities will take place during the day.
The election of the carnival queen will take place on Thursday, February 16, at the José de la Cuadra theater, while the parade Guayaquil is my destination It will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday the 18th, along Malecón avenue, from Tomás Martínez to Colón. That same day but at 6:30 p.m. the artistic show Carnaval Guayaquileñoon 9 de Octubre avenue and Malecón, with national artists.
On Sunday the 19th, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., giant puppets will be exhibited and there will also be a music festival on Malecón avenue, from P. Ycaza to Sucre street. While at 5:00 p.m. on Monday the 20th there will be another show with national artists, on October 9 and Malecón.
In the Andean region, the best-known carnival festivities take place in Guaranda, capital of the province of Bolívar, where local and foreign tourists arrive. In this city the queen of Guaranda and her Carnival and the Taita Carnival are elected.
The Guarandeño carnival is one of the most famous cultural expressions in the country, not only for its color, music and meaning, but also for the fusion of the Andean worldview and mestizo customs.
The city of Ambato instead he performs his traditional Festival of Fruit and Flowers, in which cultural troupes predominate, floats decorated with flowers and fruits of the region. There is also the election of a queen, proclamations, musical shows, as well as the blessing of flowers, fruits and bread.
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In the Andean region, carnival is also linked to the indigenous festival of the end of the solar year or Paucar Huatay, (Pawkar…) one of the four largest of the year linked to agricultural practices, cooperative work, the relationship with the land and the religiosity expressed with these elements.
Likewise, carnival activities are held in Riobamba, Guano, Chambo, Penipe, in the province of Chimborazo. Other cities that hold special events for carnival are Azoguez, Puyo, Tena, Salinas, Atacames, Manta or Bahía de Caráquez. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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