CHILE: Patriotic feasts, but no fasting

The Chilean patriotic feast days last a long time. Raśl Estrada-Oyuela explains why:

"There are two different celebrations in September in Chile. One is Independence Day on 18 September, related to the installation of the first government in 1810, with the ecumenical Te Deum and popular celebrations eating, drinking and dancing "cuecas" day and night, in down town Santiago and in every neighborhood, town and city in the country. You will not see German helmets, grey uniforms or goose-stepping there.The other is Army Day, on 19 September (Navy Day is 21 May), with a military parade in a park and the German paraphernalia. Of course both celebrations came together because creation of national armies in Latin America is normally related to the establishment of national governments. Argentine National Day is 25 May and our Army Day is 29 May. Military people in Argentina use to say that the Army was born with the "Patria", and civilians add that "la Patria" died in the delivery."

My comment All I can say is that the three festivals combined give Chileans a good excuse to eat pies and drink red wine. I suspect Alka Selzer is behind it.

Ronald Hilton - 9/30/00