Politics News

Eric Castro asked:


When the Inca king Atahualpa was killed in Cajamarca and the Spanish Conquistadors advanced towards Quito, the city was evacuated and set on fire. It was on the ashes of the Inca city that Sebastián de Benalcázar founded San Francisco de Quito, on top of the few ruins left him. The founding date, December 6, 1534, is celebrated annually with the Fiestas de Quito.

The celebration of the Quito’s Spanish foundation lasts a whole week, among parades with floats, dancing in the streets, people ‘riding the roof’ of the chiva buses, the bullfight season (a tradition introduced by the Spanish), the election of the Queen of Quito and a number of cultural activities. The world championship of “40″, a card game played only in Ecuador is an important part of the festivity.

The Saturday before the start of the Fiestas, the Quiteños of all the different barrios, broom in hand, clean and sweep the city; the example is set by the novices of Monastery of San Francisco who come out and sweep the traditional San Francisco Square in Quito Historic downtown.

The central event during this celebration are the bullfights, with the participation of more Spanish “matadors” than local ones. During the week of festivities Quito lives a Spanish fiesta, with flamenco dancers, manzanilla drinking, people wearing the typical Spanish hats to the bullfights and afterwards, enjoying long lunches with the most famous delicacies of the Spanish cuisine to delight local palates.

Throughout the week, open sided buses called chivas, take groups of friends who climb to the roof to party, singing, dancing and drinking, accompanied by music bands. Many chivas run along the streets of the city in this festive mood.

Quito is a blessed spot cradled in the Andes at the foot of Pichincha Volcano. It has the largest and one of the best-preserved historical centers in South America, since the modern part of the city developed to the north, leaving the existing colonial treasures intact. In the last two years, the city’s government invested an important sum in renovations, which is showcased in the new brilliance of the historical core’s buildings, which offer a myriad of classic architectural styles. Come and celebrate with us!

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Eric Castro asked:


In Quito, the Capital of Ecuador, the enormous influence that the Spanish had in the origin of many Ecuadorian celebrations is most evident. During December Quito celebrates its “Spanish Foundation”, by the Conquistador Sebastian de Benalcazar on December 6, 1534. This was the second site where the city was founded - the first foundation was in August of the same year in Sicalpa, near the city of Riobamba.

One of the central events during this celebration is the bullfights, with the participation of more Spanish “matadors” than local ones. During the week of festivities Quito lives a Spanish fiesta, with flamenco dancers, manzanilla drinking, people wearing the typical Spanish hats to the bullfights and afterwards, enjoying long lunches with the most famous delicacies of the Spanish cuisine to delight local palates. This year, bullfights will take place between November 30 and December 6, 2005, at the Plaza de Toros of Quito.

The different “barrios” organize dancing in the streets - the largest events take place at Rodrigo de Chavez Street in the southern section of the city and in Shyris Avenue in the north. These are all-night events with orchestras playing Latin Music. People come in groups of friends or family, to socialize, listen to the music, dance and drink the famous canelazo, a hot drink with cinnamon and “firewater”.

Traditionally, parades take place in different areas of the city, with the participation of dancing groups of the schools of Quito and music bands. Many cultural events that keep the traditions of Quito alive take place during the week, like fireworks, poetry reading, recreation of legends and traditions, art exhibitions, food and traditional sweets festivals, folk dancing and much more take place the first week of December.

In the homes, families and groups of friends of all ages get together to play an Ecuadorian game of cards called “cuarenta” or forty, since it is played with 40 cards. The World Championship of Cuarenta takes place as one of the highlights of the festivity.

Throughout the week, open sided buses called chivas, originally from the Coast, take groups of friends who climb to the roof to party, singing, dancing and drinking, accompanied by music bands. Many chivas run along the streets of the city in this festive mood. The first week of December is a great time to be in Quito, come join the festivities!

for more information about Ecuador & Galapagos Cruises visit:

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