Live bands, a symphony orchestra, a traditional Inca “Tinkay” ceremony and a spectacular sound and light show are all on the bill for the official Machu Picchu Centenary celebrations which take place at Machu Picchu today to mark 100 years since the ruins were brought to the attention of the world. Celebrating the Machu Picchu Centenary Touted to be viewed by as many as 500 million people worldwide on HDTV, the official event will be attended by dignitaries from foreign countries, celebrities such as Nobel Prizewinning author Mario Vargas Llosa, outgoing Peruvian president Alan Garcia and a whole host of journalists, photographers and travellers from across the World. The events will be rounded off with a light and sound show which aims to recreate Machu Picchu as it would have looked during Inca times. The show will feature around 300 notable artists and musicians, including the Andean Orchestra, Cusco’s Symphony Orchestra and the renowned Peruvian musician and composer Manuel Miranda who is famed for his use of traditional wind instruments. There are also artistic and cultural events taking place in the city of Cusco, where large LCD screens will beam the events at Machu Picchu into the city’s main square. There was a 21 gun salute in the city early this morning to mark the beginning of the day’s proceedings, and celebrations are expected to run into the early hours. You can find out more about the official celebrations on ANDINA (the government's official news agency) and Prom Peru or catch the celebrations, which begin at 10.30am local time, on one of the 15 satellite channels broadcasting the events live internationally. New Wonder of the World Despite Hiram Bingham first coming across the ruins on the 24th of July 1911, the official ceremonies are taking place today firstly because it
Live bands, a symphony orchestra, a traditional Inca “Tinkay” ceremony and a spectacular sound and light show are all on the bill for the official Machu Picchu Centenary celebrations which take place at Machu Picchu today to mark 100 years since the ruins were brought to the attention of the…
The last time that Peru won the Copa América was in 1975. This was the second of two triumphs that La Blanquirroja - or "The White and Red One", Peru's national soccer team - have seen in the most important international football tournament in Latin America, adding to their first success way back in 1939. Peru Copa America Victory In the Copa América of 1975 Peru beat neighbours Chile, Bolivia and Brazil on their way to meeting Colombia in the final. After losing out in the first tie in Bogota they beat the Colombians in Lima before ultimately winning the final playoff match in Caracas, Venezuela. The game was won with a single goal from striker Hugo Sotil, who at that time played for Barcelona in Spain. The victory came during a golden era for Peruvian Soccer. Featuring such stars as Sotil and the master Teófilo Cubilas, the team performed very well in two of the decade's FIFA World Cups: they ultimately lost out to Champions Brazil after playing strongly to reach the quarter finals of the 1970 World Cup. In 1978 they tied against eventual finalists the Netherlands while beating Scotland and Iran on their way to topping their group in the first round. Peru Copa America 2011 Peru will feature in 2011’s edition of the Copa América, which kicks off this evening in Argentina, and they face tough competition in the first round against group rivals Chile, Uruguay and Mexico. Their devoted fans will nevertheless be eager for them to progress the next round after a disappointing qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa ... they finished a lowly bottom out of 10 nations in the South American qualification pool winning just three games out of 18. Peru kick off the tournament against Uruguay
The last time that Peru won the Copa América was in 1975. This was the second of two triumphs that La Blanquirroja – or “The White and Red One”, Peru’s national soccer team – have seen in the most important international football tournament in Latin America, adding to their…
Corpus Christi Festival Cusco Today's celebrations in Cusco mark the 464th uninterrupted procession of Corpus Christi in the Andean city. The celebration has been called “the festivity of Cuzquenians” due to the massive participation of all social groups, rich and poor. The Corpus Christi Festival Cusco is the longest-running religious festival in the Americas, celebrated every year since 1547. Celebrating in Cusco Cusco’s is a distinctive Corpus Christi celebration compared to others across the Catholic world in that it is an expression of Andean Catholicism, also called “popular” Catholicism in current religious studies, which is defined by the amalgamation of indigenous traditions into Catholic ritual. Corpus Christi was first introduced in the Americas as part of the policy of Evangelization to convert the population of the New World into Catholicism, and during this process many aspects of native belief system were incorporated into the newly imposed religion. In Inca tradition, for instance, the mummies of dead ancestors would have been paraded around Cusco's main square, and this idea is continued in Cusco's corpus Christi processions. Read our top tips for enjoying Corpus Christi Festival. Processions The celebration consists of a series of processions that include fourteen life-size Saints and Madonnas from different parishes around the city of Cuzco, in addition to the Monstrance in a tabernacle made of solid gold placed on an 18th century silver carriage. People devote a large amount of time to the celebration, the artistic display involved in the decoration and adornment of the images and their litters, which are always most lavishly appointed. Jubilant music and dance accompanied by special food and drinks embody the party that follows the processional parades. Read more about Peru's most important festivals and events with our handy guide and free festival calendar.
Corpus Christi Festival Cusco Today’s celebrations in Cusco mark the 464th uninterrupted procession of Corpus Christi in the Andean city. The celebration has been called “the festivity of Cuzquenians” due to the massive participation of all social groups, rich and poor. The Corpus Christi Festival Cusco is the longest-running religious…
If you’re in London next week, well then Aracari will be too: Marisol Mosquera is assisting with Tasneem Gallery's exposition at PINTA LONDON 2011, The Modern & Contemporary Latin American Art Show. With an exciting array of art from across the continent, PINTA demonstrates just how boisterous the Latin American Art scene is at the moment. And Tasneem Gallery’s exposition will contemplate the diversity of Latin American art, a reflection of the region’s long and vibrant history incorporated with current social and economic dynamics. Aracari’s involvement with the show marks our continued connection with the thriving contemporary Art scene in Lima; amongst those who are exhibiting with Tasneem Gallery are our friends and Pablo Patrucco and Margarita Checa. Both are renowned Peruvian artists; the former’s paintings try to bring new light over such every day objects in Lima as garbage, public transport and icons of popular culture, while the latter’s work focuses on the energy and posture of the human figure, chiefly making use of such materials as wood and bronze. The show will be held from Monday 6th to Thursday 9th at Earls Court Exhibition Centre (Brompton Hall, Warwick Road, Earls Court, London, SW5 9TA). More details can be found below or on Tasneem Gallery’s Facebook page. Previous Aracari ventures promoting Peruvian Art in London include a talk by Marisol entitled Mystery and History at the Instituto Cervantes. You can read the blog about that here. Aracari will also be collaborating with Tasneem Gallery on a Collective of Contemporary Peruvian Art which will open on November 11th in Barcelona. You can find out more about that event if you attend PINTA next week or alternatively please do contact us. We are also in the process of developing a tour that will focus on contemporary art in Lima and that
If you’re in London next week, well then Aracari will be too: Marisol Mosquera is assisting with Tasneem Gallery’s exposition at PINTA LONDON 2011, The Modern & Contemporary Latin American Art Show. With an exciting array of art from across the continent, PINTA demonstrates just how boisterous the Latin American…
Question: Which Peruvian Coffee is known for being the best coffee in the world? Answer: Tunki Coffee is the Peruvian Coffee known for being the best coffee in the world after it was voted as such by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 2010. The coffee is grown in the Puno region of southeastern Peru by the farmer Wilson Sucaticona. His plantation, which covers only 3 hectares of land, is located in the Sandía valley in the high rainforest region. The coffee beat other contenders from countries such as Colombia, Kenya and Guatamala, and since winning the prize it has become very popular worldwide. Peru is becoming increasingly renowned for it's coffee: it is the World's biggest producer of certified Organic coffee and it has secured a booming trade across the globe by retaining very competitive prices. The ideal climate for coffee growing can be found on the Eastern slopes of the Andes moving into the rainforest, as the climate turns warmer in the higher reaches of the Amazon. Big producing areas are Chanchamayo, Quillabamba and Northern Peru. If you are in Lima, perhaps the best place to try and buy Tunki coffee is at Arabica Espresso bar on Recavarren near Park de Kennedy in Miraflores. This has become a very popular café amongst locals as it is renowned from sourcing coffee only from the best Peruvian plantations. As well as the location in central Miraflores, Arabica are soon to open a second venue on the plaza municipal of Barranco.
Question: Which Peruvian Coffee is known for being the best coffee in the world? Answer: Tunki Coffee is the Peruvian Coffee known for being the best coffee in the world after it was voted as such by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 2010. The coffee is grown in…
While in the Cusco region, I recently took the opportunity to hike the Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay trek, a fantastic 6 day trek to Machu Picchu that sees partakers staying each night at comfortable lodges in between walking along a stunning route that passes beneath the snow covered peak of Salkantay amongst other marvels. The Salkantay trek is one of the most popular alternative treks to Machu Picchu. Here's my review of the experience. Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay Trek View all of our Peru Luxury Trekking options Day 1: Cusco to Apu Salkantay We started out from Cusco in the morning and headed toward the town of Mollepata. Along the route we took the opportunity to have a look at the protagonist of this trek; Apu Salkantay. We also stopped for a look at the Inca ruins of Tarawasi, an interesting complex situated in a fertile valley. It is believed that this may have been a trading post between the highlands of Cusco and lower lands towards the coast. The usual arrangement of excellent stone masonry was aplenty. After a quick lunch at Mollepata, we made one further road journey before beginning the trek. And todays trek was a good warm up! A nice, level path ... not too steep ... to acclimatise to walking at high altitude. All along the way we got closer and closer to the Humantay Glacier, beneath which the first lodge is located. The glacier ... which has purportedly significantly receded in the last few decades ... provides a fantastic view for the 3-4 hours of trekking today. As we approached the first lodge, suddenly the tremendous peak of Apu Salkantay also made its appearance. It was a little clouded today but still incredible in the sparkling bright sunlight. Overnight at the Salkantay Base Lodge (3,850m / 12,700ft) Arriving at the
While in the Cusco region, I recently took the opportunity to hike the Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay trek, a fantastic 6 day trek to Machu Picchu that sees partakers staying each night at comfortable lodges in between walking along a stunning route that passes beneath the snow covered peak of Salkantay amongst other…
