Every year, Peru comes alive with vibrant festivities to celebrate its independence on July 28 and 29. Fiestas Patrias is a national holiday that celebrates our country’s culture and patriotism. Streets filled with parades, folk music, and dances; homes, and public spaces show the red and white of the Peruvian flag.
The festival spans from Lima, the capital, to all Peruvian cities where locals and visitors join the joyous atmosphere while enjoying tasty Peruvian food and seeing historical reenactments. Whether you’re in cities or the countryside, Fiestas Patrias offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Let’s see some history about this important celebration and why is another reason for pride for us, Peruvians.
Independence Day’s history
On Saturday, 28 July 1821, just over 200 years ago, Don José de San Martín, an Argentinian general holding a new Peruvian flag, stated the Declaration of Independence of Peru. He said these words:
“From this moment, Peru is free and independent by the general will of the people and the justice of its cause, which God defends. Long live the homeland! Long live freedom! Long live independence!“
The Spanish Empire had dominated Peru for almost 300 years before achieving its independence. The good news could not be spread quickly enough by the media at the time, and as a result, the Argentine military, led by San Martin and other politicians, had to declare the same thing at other points in the capital.
These points included the Plazuela de la Merced in the Lima Center and the Convento de los Descalzos in the Rímac neighborhood, in both places, the emancipation of the Peruvian people was acknowledged. The following day, July 29, the creation of the Peruvian Republic was established. Now we’ve seen some history about our independence; let’s see how the celebration goes.
Current Peru’s Central Day celebrations
Weeks before the big day, cities around Peru turn their streets white and red, it’s common to see Peruvian flags hanging from the windows of shops and homes, workers and students carrying a cockade of the Peruvian flag in schools, and government-related jobs. From the young to the old, all of them get ready to celebrate Peru’s main day.
On July 28, the celebration starts early in the morning in Lima. The Archbishop of Lima leads a te deum mass, which the president of Peru attends with deputies and other authorities. Later, from the balcony of the government palace, the president addresses a speech to the Peruvian people.
This speech is on TV and the Internet. The president greets all Peruvians and tells them about the progress and challenges the country has faced this year. The next day, the celebration continues on Brasil Avenue, one of the most important in Lima. Following the flag-raising event, the Peruvian armed forces put on “El desfile militar,” or “The Great Military Parade.”
It’s normal for people to stay up early to catch every detail of this highly anticipated event. One highlight is a parade of police dogs alongside their colleagues. Another highlight is the traditional marinera dance, the most iconic and romantic of Peru’s traditions, best-known in northern Peru. This dance shows a pair doing a dance of courtship that is elegant, refined, and seductive.
A Day to Remember and Celebrate
July 28 and 29 are national holidays; not only in Lima, but all around Peru, it is normal to see parades, family gatherings, parties, and trips. Every city’s Plaza de Armas, or main square, is the epicenter of Peruvian celebrations. On the other hand, for Peruvians living abroad, this date is special.
That’s why groups of Peruvians in the US, Japan, Italy, Spain, and more gather to celebrate it, some even go back to Peru for vacations. National holidays are the perfect chance for Peruvians to remember why they feel so proud of being Peruvian.
We’re racially diverse
According to some data, our country has mixed, African, Asian, European, and Indigenous racial influences. As one famous writer once said, Peru is the union of “all bloods,” which makes sense as we’re racially diverse. Depending on the color of our skin, our ancestry, or our surname, we’re proud of being Peruvian.
Food with tradition
Our food is the result of our ethnically diverse people and our own ancient traditions. Peruvian food has received Japanese, Chinese, African, and European influences and techniques. Adding our unique and delicious ingredients, the result is the best food on this planet.
Peruvian food’s global popularity is not just luck, not just Peruvians, but everyone loves our food when they try it. We, Peruvians, celebrate national holidays by eating our food with our families and listening to our music, it’s more enjoyable when we share our food with our loved ones.
Ancient and Vast Culture
The history of Peru dates back thousands of years. The Caral people lived along the coast, around 25 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean and 200 kilometers (north) of Lima today. They were the earliest complex society in Peru as their civilization began over 3200 BCE. The Caral were well-known for their textile use and cotton production, which they also utilized to make fishing nets.
After them came pre-Inca civilizations, such as Paracas, Mochica, and Chavín. Then, the Incas ruled not just in Peru, but in other South American countries too. Our traditions were engraved in more than 20,000 archaeological sites scattered all over the country.
Land Diversity
Peru, the third largest country in South America, spans 1,285,216 km² and comprises 24 departments, Lima, the capital, is known as the Gastronomic Capital of Latin America. Peru’s geography includes the Pacific Coast, the Andes, and the Amazon jungle. The Pacific Coast is known for its economic assets and is one of the aridest places on Earth despite being in a tropical zone due to the Humboldt Current.
The Peruvian Andes, the youngest mountain range in the world, extend 8,500 kilometers, the highest peak, Huascarán, is 6,758 meters tall. Key destinations include Huaraz and Cusco. The Amazon jungle covers 60% of Peru’s land, it’s known for its many species and native communities, and is the least inhabited region. As you can see, Peru has a privileged and distinctive geography.
Que viva el Peru!
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