Wednesday, 23 May 2012
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Sun worshippers unite at Perus annual Inti Raymi festival

Friday, 27 May 2011

 
With the Machu Picchu centenary celebrations luring travellers to Peru this year, Australians looking for something extra special should head over in June to experience the impressive Inti Raymi Inca cultural festival at the Sacsayhuamán fortress in Cusco.

This ‘Festival of the Sun’, South America’s 2nd largest festival, takes place every  24th of June, and offers tourists the chance to mingle with locals during this spectacular and colourful cultural event.  On site, the Inti Raymi festival sees hundreds of actors re-enacting ancient celebrationsin which the Incas gathered to worship the Sun God during the winter solstice to mark the New Year.

Peru’s Tourism Board coordinator for Asia Pacific, Rosana Guinea, asserts that festivals such as the Inti Raymi are often a highlight for visitors to Peru. “For travellers looking for experiences that are somewhat more unusual, festivals fit the bill. They offer excitement and energy while also providing a unique insight into the Peruvian culture and history,” she said.

During the festival, those Australian travellers in Cusco can join in the colourful party that and enjoy watching locals dressed in extravagant costumes parading through the streets, before reaching  the fortress of Sacsayhuamán where the Inca high priest celebrates a ceremony Quechua, the language spoken by the Incas. To celebrate the new harvest, offerings are made to the Sun God and Pachamama, Mother Earth.

The Inti Raymi is a festival the Peruvians are very proud of and, although the main focus of events are on the 24th of June, live music, dancing and street fairs in Cusco continue for a week. Thus, for those looking for an opportunity to immerse themselves in true Peruvian culture, the Inti Raymi festival offers a week-long event that showcases the best of this country’s history, people and culture.

And for those interested in giving some added value to their trip, keep in mind that Peruvians celebrate around 3,000 festivals every year, all of which reflectthe country’s unique culture and personality. So, truth is, travellers are very likely to stumble across at least one festival during a trip to Peru.
Source = Peru Travel
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