August 15 - Anniversary of Arequipa, Peru

Posted on August 15, 2017

Today there will be a Friendship Parade down the streets of Arequipa, in Peru.


The Friendship Parade is known for encouraging
audience members to dance along with the music!

For weeks Peruvians and tourists have been enjoying a variety of celebratory fairs - from the Ironwork Art Fair to the Sillar (volcanic stone) Art Fair to the Sweets Fair. There have been music festivals, fashion shows, and more.

Something to look for at the Sweets Fair is mazamorra morada -
purple pudding. It's made of corn and fruit and deliciousness.

But today is THE day, the big day. In addition to the huge, long parade, there is a Miss Arequipa contest. There's loads of food.There's a volcano-climbing contest.

All of these festivities remember the 1540 founding of the town by a Spaniard named GarcĂ­ Manuel de Carbajal.

Arequipa is known as the White City, because it is mostly constructed out of sillar, a kind of white volcanic stone:





Of course, white buildings can take on different colors depending on the light!



The main plaza is gorgeous, isn't it?



There are three volcanos near the city, but it is the biggest, el Misti, that contestants climb today!
View of el Misti from Arequipa (above),
and view from the top (below).



Also on this date:

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