Day of the Virgin of La Candelaria

3 min read · 03 Aug 2021 · 22 · 14 · 16

CANDELARIA DAY: THE CELEBRATION OF THE VIRGIN OF THE SYMBOL OF LIGHT

By: @Carlos Rangel Yoors Blogger

The Festival of “La Candelaria” is held every February 2nd, mainly in different parts of America and in Spain. In Venezuela, it is known as Candelaria Day and is a tribute to the appearance of this Marian advocation, which marks on the calendar of traditional festivals and the closing of the Catholic cycle of purification, which begins on December 24. This representation of the virgin was first seen in 1400, on the island of Tenerife, Spain. It is identified with the symbol of light, therefore in the fifth century the celebration was known as “The Festival of Lights”. The Iberian settlers introduced their veneration to the American continent, which generated great faith in Venezuela, so much so that there are various populations in the interior of the country bearing his name. In Caracas, the popular parish la Candelaria has a temple with the same name.

Mérida state is the place where the celebration of the Virgen de la Candelaria is most important. In the town of the parish of Santiago de La Punta, there is a celebration that is visited annually by Meridans and tourists. Year after year hundreds of devotees gather around the parish chapel and in the central square. The ritual consists of a morning mass to bless the candles carried by the parishioners, then a vivid procession that walks the Virgin through the village and to close, a dance performed by “Los Vassallos de la Candelaria”, dressed in allegorical costumes in white shirts, capes and shorts colorful and bright. The final touch of the costume is a hat with ornaments, plus they carry a maraca and sticks of the jornal.

“Los Vassallos de la Candelaria” are a kind of brotherhood made up of promeseros who have offered their faith to the Virgen de la Candelaria. The dance they perform, tells the preparation of the land, its planting and harvesting the harvest of the year.