19:50 | Puno (Puno region), Feb. 7.
Peru's Southern city of Puno expects to welcome some 80,000 tourists this week within the framework of Virgen de la Candelaria festivity, the Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Dircetur) affirmed.
All necessary measures have been taken by relevant authorities to guarantee the safety of visitors and locals while attending the activities.
It must be noted Virgen de la Candelaria festivity will kick off this Friday with liturgical acts.
On Sunday, 85 folk dance groups will take part in the regional contest of trajes de luces (traditional light costumes) to the rhythm of diablada, morenada, caporales, kullahuada, and sicuri.
The
great parade and the veneration ceremony will take place on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13.
The pilgrimage will start from La Costanera Avenue and will finish in Manuel Puno Square, in front of Virgen de la Candelaria Sanctuary.
Given the peak tourist inflow during these days, Puno's Hotel Association informed the city relies on 394 lodging establishments in total.
According to Dircetur Head Daysi Pauro Pino, there are 172 restaurants —with the appropriate permission granted by the Health Ministry— in
Puno and Juliaca cities.
The official suggested visiting the
region's main attractions including the Uros floating islands, Amantani and Taquile natural islands, the Sillustani archaeological site, and Juli's colonial churches.
Virgen de la Candelaria
The religious festival constitutes one of the country's biggest and lengthiest cultural manifestations.
A distinctive expression of living culture, it welcomes tens of thousands of local and foreign visitors every year.
(END) JCB/MAO/JAA/RMB
Published: 2/7/2018