GLOSSARY

FESTIVIT IES CEL EBR ATED IN VENEZ UELA

JANUARYJANUARY 1ST NEW YEAR

First day of the year, celebrated in all the societies in different ways. It’s the end of the december festivities and the begining of a new year with goals and plans.

JANUARY 6TH THE EPIPHANY

Celebrates the arrival of the three wise from the East who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. This day children receive gifts too.

FEBRUARYFEBRUARY 2ND CANDELARIA’S DAY

February 2nd of every year is celebrated in the whole world Candelaria’s day, patron saint of the Canary Islands. This saint is an advocacy of virgin Mary and it’s very worshipped in Venezuela, especially in Merida state where there are many devotees and a chapel in her name.

FEBRUARY

CARNIVAL

One of the most popular festivities in Venezuela. People wear costumes, kids trow balloons full of water, eggs and flour and have fun during these days. Also there are people who rather going to the beach or just have some rest at home because there isn’t work those days.

MARCH MARCH 8TH WOMEN’S DAY

It’s an occasion for people to express their love for women, respect and appreciation for them.

MARCH/APRIL HOLY WEEK

During this week people commemorate Jesus life and work, and his death as well as his resurrection. They make processions, via crucis, and go to mass. On easter day, the day of Christ’s resurrection venezuelan people make the Judas burning with a rag doll that symbolize the triumph of good over evil.

APRIL

APRIL 19TH OF 1810 REVOLUTION

That day venezuelan people in Caracas rejected the authority of Vicente Emparan who was the spanish General Captain of the country at that time, with those actions starts the independence proccess in Venezuela.

MAY MAY 1ST LABOR DAY

May 1st is the international labor day, in Venezuela was celebrated for the first time in 1936 and in 1945 Isaias Medina Angarita president of Venezuela established this day as Labor day. This is a non-working day and must be paid to all the workers.

MAY 3RD CRUZ DE MAYO FESTIVITY

This festivity welcomes the rainy season which allows for the growing of the harvest, in Venezuela is a traditional festivity especially in the east of the country.

JUNE

JUNE 24TH CARABOBO’S BATTLE

The crucial Carabobo’s Battle on June 24 of 1821 in Valencia, Carabobo state, assured the independence of Venezuela. During this battle the military was supported by the venezuelan people.

JULY

JULY 5TH DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

On July 5, 1811 was written a statement adopted by a congress of Venezuelan provinces, through which Venezuelans made the decision to separate from the Spanish Crown.

JULY 24TH BIRTH OF SIMON BOLIVAR

Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y Blanco was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 24, 1783. He liberated Venezuela from the spanish crown and founded the Gran Colombia .

AUGUST

AUGUST 3RD FLAG’S NATIONAL DAY

On March 3rd Venezuela used to commemorate flag’s day because this date in 1806 was raised by the first time the flag. After several modifications it became in our flag with its three colors, stars and emblem.

AUGUST 6th FESTIVITIES IN HONOR OF SANTO CRISTO DE LA GRITA

Venezuelan are very devoted to the Santo Cristo de la Grita, is celebrated on august 6th in La Grita town Tachira state, since 1610.

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 11TH OUR LADY OF COROMOTO DAY

It’s a celebration of the Catholic image of an alleged apparition of the Virgin Mary. In 1942, she was declared the Patroness of Venezuela.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 12TH INDIGENOUS RESISTANCE DAY

Originally it was celebrated the discovery of America by Cristobal Colon. Many years later, was proclaimed with this new name to commemorate the resistance of the indigenous against the conquerors

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 1ST ALL SAINTS DAY

November 1st is celebrated All Saints Day known and unknown.

The purpose of this celebration is to include all the saints who doens’t have a special day to commemorate. In this day, venezuelan families use to visit their deceased relatives in the cemetery , take flowers to their graves and show respect to them.

NOVEMBER 18TH VIRGIN OF CHIQUINQUIRÁ DAY

This day is celebrated the Virgin of Chiquinquira, patroness of zulian people. Devotion to Chinita exist since 1709. In this festivity there are mass, serenade and processions in honor of the virgin.

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 25TH CHRISTMAS DAY

Birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated in this day, to venezuelan people it’s an special occasion to get together with their families, to share dinner with dishes like hallacas, ham bread, chicken salad, lasagna, among others; they drink beverages like punch, beer and whiskey. Also they exchange gifts and enjoy the festivity with gaitas and christmas carols

DECEMBER 31TH END OF THE YEAR

Is the celebration of the ending year and the welcome to new one. Venezuelans have a lot of traditions for this day, such as, eating twelve grapes and make wishes, giving hugs and telling Happy new year to their loved ones, they use a lot of fireworks and play music full of joy.