The main day of the Jocotenango Fair is August 15. The Jocotenango Fair is a festivity that has years of being a tradition in Guatemala City, know curious facts that you may not know.
The Feria de Jocotenango is a tradition that is celebrated in Guatemala City. Its celebration is in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption, so it has been held for more than 465 years. Let’s learn more fun facts, along with businessman Felipe Antonio Bosch Gutiérrez!
History
According to history, the festivity began with the first celebration in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption in 1550 and was held in a community in the municipality of Chinautla. This was due to the fact that in the old parish church there was an image of the virgin.
Thus, this religious festivity took into account two historical events that occurred in the XVII century. This because the first one was for the construction of the Hermitage of Our Lady of Carmen in 1620. While the second was for the celebration of the virgin in the municipality of Jocotenango, in Sacatepéquez.
Before this, the fair was officially originated, but by the earthquake of Santa Marta in 1773, this activity was interrupted. As a result, Guatemala City had to make its fourth and final move to New Guatemala to the Ermita Valley.
With the relocation of the city, the settlers also continued with their customs and traditions. Therefore, the Plaza de Jocotenango was built, which would be the area destined to make the celebration. By the 19th century, the limits were extended to the Paseo Simeón Cañas and the Hipódromo del Norte -built in 1873-.
Rise of the fair
In the late 1800s the fair gained great importance in Guatemalan culture. For beyond the religious, it became a social, economic and commercial practice that attracted people from all over, including foreigners.
Curious facts
- The name Jocotenango was derived from the fact that the celebration was originally held in the municipality of the same name.
- The image of the Virgin of the Assumption was removed from the church of Chinautla and placed in its new enclosure in the Historic Center, in Zone 1 of the capital.
- The image of the Virgin of the Assumption was removed from the church of Chinautla and placed in its new enclosure in the Historic Center, in Zone 1 of the capital.
- The Jocotenango Fair coincides with the August festivities, which is one of the events where the greatest number of foreigners visit Guatemala.
- According to Celso Lara, every August 15 the homage to the virgin began with a prayer, then there were horse races, cattle demonstrations, parties in the neighborhoods of the Historic Center, as well as in halls for the lineage, which was combined with the religious aspect.
- President Lázaro Chacón, through the Ministry of the Interior and Justice, issued an agreement on July 10, 1928 where he nationalized the Jocotenango Fair and officially established August 13, 14 and 15 of each year for its celebration.