Inti Raymi

Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun, is celebrated every year on June 24th. On this date, according to the Inca calendar, the solstice occurs. The Inca belief was deeply rooted in the mountains, the stars, and above all, the sun. Therefore, a grand festival was celebrated every year at the solstice.

When the Spaniards occupied South America, the festival was banned. In 1944, an association revived the festivities.

Since then, Inti Raymi has been celebrated every year in Cusco. The traditional ceremony is reenacted at the Plaza. There are dancers in different costumes representing the Inca peoples of the mountains, the coast, and the jungle on all sides. In the center of the Plaza, the king speaks (unfortunately in Quechua, so I couldn't understand much). His speech is interrupted by dances and battle cries. At the end, the king reveals himself to the entire people as he is carried past them on his throne. The dancing peoples accompany the whole procession.

Unfortunately, I arrived a bit late and could hardly see anything because there were already people everywhere, but I was able to take some great pictures. Jonas, meanwhile, was in bed with the flu.