Aracari’s Weekly Insight

The Question:

Where in Bolivia is a Baroque Music Festival held every two years?

The Answer:

Every two years there is a Baroque Music Festival held at the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in south eastern Bolivia. The festival is a fantastic way to experience the diverse and multilingual culture of the region, with the recital of the works of a variety of classic composers such as Vivaldi, Handel, Bach and Purcell (to name but a few) as well as original compositions by local people in a remote part of the Bolivian rainforest.

The festival was first conceived of after several thousand original sheets of music dating from the 17th and 18th centuries were discovered in the 1970’s during the restoration of the six missions churches at Chiquitos and Moxos. Composed by both European and indigenous composers alike, the works embodied a precious cultural treasure, evidence of the dedication to musical tradition in these fabulously adorned mission churches. The missions were subsequently recognised by UNESCO as “monuments of the cultural heritage of mankind” in 1990.

The idea behind the Baroque Music Festival is to preserve and promote the unique musical tradition of this part of Bolivia. Local people have had an outstanding ability to assimilate complex European musical instruments and scores, showcasing a unique musical revival taking place in one of the world’s least developed regions. And the fascinating concept of live classical music being played in this beautiful and diverse tract of nature is a joyous and glorious occasion, a real treat for those travellers who make the effort to attend.

2012’s festival, the ninth edition, will take place between the 26th of April and the 6th of May. Anybody interested in visiting should contact us to plan their itinerary, as Bolivia Travel Specialists we can not only take you to Santa Cruz in comfort and style but combine your visit with other attractions such as Lake Titicaca and the spectacular Salar de Uyuni salt flats.