Peru: Locals and tourists enjoy Festival of the Sun in Cusco

Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

08:47 | Cusco (Cusco region), Jun. 25.

Locals and tourists joyfully celebrated the second staging of Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, held at the Main Square —the former Hawkaypata— of the Imperial City as part of Cusco Day celebrations.

After a brief scene at the Coricancha Inca temple's esplanade (the first staging), featuring Inca Pachacutec and the reception of delegations from Chinchaysuyo, Qollasuyo, Contisuyo, and Antisuyo, the celebration moved to Cusco's Main Square.

Here, the crowd performed "waves" as they awaited the arrival of Tahuantinsuyo's supreme ruler, accompanied by the Coya (main wife), his royal entourage, and the delegations from the four suyos —a group that includes nearly a thousand actors.

As is tradition, "The Encounter of Two Worlds" scene was staged.

The actor portraying the Inca, David Ancca, ascended the ushnu —the ceremonial platform— to order the reading of coca leaves and then summoned the Cusco mayor to present him with a khipu, an instrument of administration and governance.

Pachacutec urged him to love, educate, and work for his people.

In turn, the mayor gave him a brief summary of his administration. The dialogue was in Quechua language.

Next, the actors, true to their roles and attire, walked around the Main Square's perimeter to receive the welcome and applause of the thousands of attendees.

The procession through the massive crowd continued all the way to Saphy Street.

Later, the more than one thousand actors headed to Sacsayhuaman archaeological park's esplanade for the third and final performance, in which the Inca expressed joy and raised his hands to the sun in gratitude for life.

(END) PHS/MAO/MVB

Published: 6/25/2025

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Peru: Locals and tourists enjoy Festival of the Sun in Cusco

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