Events in Valparaiso

Independence Celebration

September 18 is the Chilean Independence day. That day, in 1810 the first National Government Board was assembled. That was the first step. On September 19 Chile celebrates The Army Glories, that is why the 18 and the 19 are holidays in this country, a sort of mini vacation. With this spring begins.
Maybe because of this last , or maybe because of the patriotic inspiration, enthusiasm is in the air. The folkloric music is on every radio station and is constantly humming on every street. The Chilean flag is raised in each home as some still keep the old custom of painting their walls and buying new clothes just so they can celebrate at large. For those that work far from their home towns they will do all in their power to celebrate with their families. “Fondas” and “Ramadas”, the classical Independence day festive parties, are opened in public spaces in every town and city. They consist of light wooden constructions with roofs made of tree branches (from this comes it´s name “ramas” meaning branches) or canvas . These relive old popular celebration customs. Complete families arrive gathering to eat, drink and dance popular dances but never forgetting the nations typical dance the “cueca”.

Valparaiso doesn’t escape this independent wave, giving its own identity. The night of the 17 they celebrate the fisherman’s bonfire at the “ El Membrillo” cove. It is a sort of wake around this tremendous bonfire that illuminates the esplanade where the boats rest. All kinds of products are sold - principally fish – while popular music is interpreted by lively local groups.

Just to name the Native Independence Holidays is to think of Creole culinary expressions. Barbecues, meat on spade, wine, “chicha” a fermented wine and the “cole´mono” a liquor made from milk, aguardiente a typical unmatured brandy, sugar and spices are consumed in tremendous amounts. The most typical Chilean plate is called, the “empanada” filled with “pino” that comes from the Mapudungun pinu which means cut up meat, reaches its sales peak on these annual holidays. Every year each hill side in Valparaiso sends its best representatives of this classical meal to the annual contest.

The “fondas” are held in the public park named Alejo Barrios by Playa Ancha (Broad Beach), the biggest esplanade of the city. They are organized by old traditional port institutions that date back many generations , as the Sports Club Santiago Wanderers. There, the powerful sound of the orchestras and groups of cueca, the smell of the meats in the gridirons, the shouts of the children playing the typical games, the holiday air that you can breath as you walk by the tables and dancing floors, are the best demonstration of what it feels like to be Chilean , the most important meaning of the Chilean Independence day.

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