Bolivia launches comeback of Oruro Carnival to dancing, music
La Paz, Nov 17 (EFE).- To the rhythms of caporales, morenadas and diabladas, the government of Bolivia officially launched the 2022 Carnival of Oruro on Wednesday after a suspension due to Covid-19.
The launch took place at the Casa Grande del Pueblo in La Paz amid dancers and folk music bands.
“We must prepare to be able to go dancing, taking care of the biosecurity issue, so we want to launch our Oruro Carnival,” Culture Minister Sabina Orellana said.
Bolivia’s main carnival, to be held during Feb. 26-27, is danced in devotion to the Virgin of the Socavón and in 2001 was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.
“This year we want to send the message that the dancers are very grateful to the Virgin del Socavón for giving us one more opportunity to dance for her, after difficult times due to Covid-19,” Association of Folklore Groups of Oruro president Jacinto Quispaya told EFE.
Organizers expect high attendance of spectators, dancers and bands, and hope it will help with the economic reactivation of sectors that have been affected by the suspension of carnival this year due to Covid-19.
It is expected that 28,000 dancers from the 52 fraternities of the Oruro Carnival will participate.
The carnival, one of the most striking in South America, annually attracts thousands of tourists.
Traditional dances such as the diablada, morenada, caporales or llamas are exhibited, reflecting the mixture of indigenous and Spanish cultures. EFE
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