Día de las Velitas
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Día de las Velitas (English: Day of the Candles) is one of the most observed and traditional holidays of Colombia. It is celebrated on December 7, on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, which is a public holiday in Colombia. This day is the unofficial start of the Christmas season in the country.
In this day, people place candles and paper lanterns on their windows, balconies, porches, sidewalks, streets, parks and squares, in short, everywhere they can be seen in honor of the Virgin Mary and her immaculate conception.
[edit] Background
The celebration of the Day of the Candles dates to 1854, when on December 8, Pope Pius IX solemnly defined as a dogma in his constitution Ineffabilis Deus the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
In anticipation to this decision, people lighted candles and paper lanterns to show their support and belief in the theory.
In Colombia, as in many places all over the world, this event was observed by lighting candles, but the Catholic Church of Colombia kept alive the tradition of lighting candles the night of December 7.
[edit] Traditions
El Día de las Velitas is celebrated in all Colombia, but traditions vary in each region and city.
In the municipality Quimbaya, en the department of Quindío the most important cultural event is the Candles and Lanterns Festival (full name in Spanish: Fiesta Nacional del Concurso de Alumbrados con Velas y Faroles), which began in 1982 and is held each year on 7 and 8 December. Each of the barrios in the township compete to produce the most spectacular lighting arrangements, and many visitors come from throughout Colombia to admire the displays.
In Bogotá the Christmas decorations reach its peak this day, the city fully decorated, plans late activities for the whole family since most Colombians would be out and about admiring the shows, some streets close to traffic to allow pedestrians to walk and stop to admire the light arrangements. Malls, Museums, Stores, and other public places have extended hours of operation. There’s many shows taking place this night, live nativity scenes, caroling events, among others.
