the Aracari Blog

The Question:

Which Peruvian city celebrates its 477th anniversary today?

The Answer:

Founded by Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro on the 18^th of January 1535, Lima today celebrates its 477^th anniversary!!

The occasion was marked with a large party in the central plaza last night to celebrate. The evening began with a fantastic spectacle: 400 different artists performed onstage to represent the diverse mix of cultures that characterise the city, including flamenco guitarists, provincial music groups, traditional dancers and paso horses.

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question:

Which world-renowned rally races its way into Peru for the first time today?

The Answer:

Having already sped through Argentina and Chile, the Dakar rally today enters the third and final country on the route; Peru.

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question:

Which important Spanish festivity on the 6^th of January is also widely celebrated in the Andes?

The Answer:

Closely related to Christmas, the popular Spanish festivity “Dia de los Reyes magos” on the 6^th of January is also widely celebrated in towns across the Andes.

Today the Aracari team paid a visit to a new handicrafts store in the Barranco neighbourhood of Lima; Casa Allpa.

Featuring a wide range of high-quality handmade goods, such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery, Casa Allpa merges traditional handicraft techniques with sophisticated and innovative contemporary design. Natural materials are used in the wares, with baby Alpaca featuring prominently in the garments for sale.

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question:

How did the Incas celebrate New Year?

The Answer:

Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year – over the winter equinox in June – was a very important event in their calendar.

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

By Simon & Carlos

The Question:

Which contemporary artist’s studio in Lima works only with recyclable materials?

The answer:

Taller Huaringa, the studio of Lima artist Maricruz Arribas, uses only recyclable materials to create a fantastic array of artwork.

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question

Which UK- and Peru-registered charity has a café on the main plaza of Ollantaytambo?

The Answer

UK and Peru registered NGO Living Heart is associated with Heart’s Café on the main square of Ollantaytambo, a small town in the Sacred Valley.

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question:

What makes the Inca Trail so unique?

The Answer:

Next week on CNN en Español, viewers from across the world will have the chance to see how Aracari operates the Inca Trail, one of the most popular trekking routes in the world.

Here are just a few reasons why this trekking experience is held in such high esteem:

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question:

What Peruvian Art exhibitions have opened across the world in the last week?

The answer:

The inauguration of the contemporary Peruvian art exhibition in Barcelona “El placer es más importante que la victoria” that Aracari has been promoting is one of a flurry of exhibitions featuring Peruvian artists that have been opened recently across the world.

Aracari’s Weekly Insight

by  Simon

The Question:

“What is the title of the most recently published book about the Incas?”

The Answer:

The most recently published book about the Incas is called The Incas: Lords of the Four Quarters, referring to the fact that the Incas split their Empire into four parts.