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June is a festive month for countries in South America: one of the most exciting and colorful festivals take place in Cuzco while Brazil lights bonfires to celebrate the birthday of Saint John and its rural culture. Both festivals are united in their celebration of the changing seasons, one the winter solstice, the other with origins in the summer solstice of its founding nation.
South America is rich in culture and history which is even reflected in its national flags. In Spain an international flag contest is held in which Peru, amongst other South American countries, tops the list of winning contestants while Argentina celebrates its blue and white striped flag. Take part in the festivities from your armchair as you read our June newsletter. Cheers!
Leah Li
Online Development Manager
Latin America For Less
leah@peruforless.com
 Happy Inca New Year! - Cuzco Observes Inti Raymi
June 24th, the shortest day of the year in the Andes and the Southern Hemisphere, marks the commencement of the Sun God’s new cycle. To celebrate the winter solstice, the second largest festival and the most impressive historical show in South America is held in the ancient Inca hub of Cuzco. Inti Raymi or ‘The Festival of the Sun’ is a week-long celebration with events each day that include: daytime shows, street fairs, dancing in the square and live concerts from famed Peruvian musical groups. The main attraction, a magnificent reenactment of ancient tradition, takes place on the 24th. Participants join together to portray Incans who once assembled to pay homage to their Sun God while enjoying a generous feast of meats, cornbread, chicha, and coca tea. The sacrifice of llamas are arranged to ensure plentiful crops for the following year.
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 Brazil Celebrates Festas Juninhas
In Brazil, Festas Juninas, celebrated in the name of São João (Saint John), takes place in late June with the beginning of the Brazilian winter. This holiday originated in Portugal and celebrates the birthday of Saint John, falling on the summer solstice in Europe, which in Brazil is the winter solstice. The festival was originally brought to the semi-arid Northeastern region of Brazil and today it is celebrated throughout the entire country. The popular festival not only coincided with the rainy season of most states in the northeast but is also an opportunity to give thanks to St. John for the rain to come. The festival also celebrates aspects of rural Brazilian life such as its typical food, dances, and clothing. One often performed dance is the quadrilha in which couples dance around a mock wedding to celebrate the sanctity of marital union. Traditionally taking place in open outdoor spaces, men dress in farming clothes such as overalls, and women dress in red checkered dresses in tribute to Brazilian country life and music.
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 Argentina Honors Flag Day
On June 20th, Argentina celebrates National Flag Day, a national holiday dedicated to the Argentine flag and in commemoration of its creator, General Manuel Belgrano who died on this day in 1820.
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