Fiestas Patrias

The last week we celebrated the “Fiestas Patrias” in Chile. I think that we are the only country that no celebrate its independence day,  because we commemorate the September 18th of 1810,    when was make First Committee Governing Body.

Although I love celebrate the “dieciocho” with my family and friends, this is a party full of contradictions that makes me question very aspect of our culture, and don’t afford me enjoy some elements of this party, my family call me “ the Grinch” of the 18th.

Something like this

The Chilean culture is a mixed of elements, of the local cultures and the Spanish conquistadors.  For this festivity, in all schools children wear customs  of the different native people like Mapuche or Rapanui, and  dances dance of  distinct areas of the country: north zone with "trote tarapaqueño", the center zone with “cueca” , the south with “vals chilote” and “sau sau” from Easter island.

If you takes this element and added one “empanada” (local food which are a sort of bread pastry) one glass with chicha (a fresh sweet wine) you have a typical Chilean picture. But in a country like exterminate the most of native people and even now discriminate against this decedents, this party’s custom represent the big Chilean hypocrisy.For all this, the best of the 18th is take advantage of holidays with family and friend, and (of course) enjoy the delicious food and drinks :)