Puno and Candelaria strengthen cultural bonds with a historic agreement

This agreement marks a significant step forward in the relationship between Peru and Spain, underscoring their mutual devotion to the Virgin of Candelaria. 

On August 13, the Provincial Municipality of Puno and the City Council of Candelaria, Spain, signed a twinning agreement aimed at deepening cultural and religious connections between the two cities. The ceremony was led by Candelaria’s mayor, María Concepción Brito, and was attended by the Peruvian ambassador to Spain, Luis Iberico Núñez.

The festival, renowned for its significance in Puno, takes place at an altitude of over 3,800 meters near Lake Titicaca. This area is famous for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage.

Photograph: Diablada puneña dance / PROMPERÚ

Photograph: Morenada Puneña Dance / Renzo Giraldo / PROMPERÚ

An enriching cultural exchange

During the ceremony, Ambassador Iberico emphasized the admiration that the people of the Canary Islands have for the Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria in Puno, an event that draws thousands of national and international visitors each year. Mayor Brito, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of this twinning in promoting the exchange of experiences and strengthening cultural ties between the two regions.

The Puno delegation also took part in the main events of the festival in Tenerife, sharing their cultural traditions and further strengthening the bond of friendship between the two cities.

Photograph: Virgen de la Candelaria of Puno / Renzo Giraldo / PROMPERÚ

Prospects for cooperation

Alongside the cultural agreement, this alliance between the two countries will open doors for cooperation in areas like academic exchange and the internationalization of Peruvian businesses in the region. These agreements aim not only to preserve religious and cultural traditions but also to foster new opportunities for collaboration between Peru and Spain.

Photograph: Dancers of the Taquile Community / Alex Bryce / PROMPERÚ

Photograph: City of Candelaria in Tenerife, Spain / spain.info/es/destino/candelaria

The virgin, the dancers, and the lake

Puno, known as the Capital of Peruvian Folklore, is home to over 350 traditional dances celebrated for their execution, costumes, and original music. In this context, the Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria, which was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2014, stands out as one of the largest religious and cultural celebrations in Peru and Latin America.

Every February, the city comes alive with music, traditional dances, and colorful costumes as it honors the Virgen de la Candelaria, the patron saint of Puno. The festival features religious ceremonies, festive events, and cultural activities that showcase both Catholic traditions and symbolic elements of Andean cosmology.

For several days, thousands of dancers and musicians take part in parades that blend Catholic elements with the region's Andean roots. The festival is renowned for its cultural diversity and profound spiritual significance, drawing both devoted worshippers and tourists from around the globe, who experience a unique blend of faith and tradition.

Photograph: Dancer by the shores of Lake Titicaca /Shutterstock

Photograph: Sikuris / Heinz Plengue / PROMPERÚ