Decorating For Christmas
Firstly, the celebration in Cusco begins with the dressing-up of the city. Particularly it is down with colored lights and garlands makes for a festival result. Obviously, these can be seen everywhere, from the balconies of the Monumental mountain to the streets around the main square. Resulting undoubtedly in a city with a warm festive ambiance.
To point out, on December 24th, hundreds of artisans gather in the squre. Generally coming from the region and the surrounding towns. Likewise they lay their blankets on the sidewalks and sell carved Nativity handicrafts.
Simultaneously held in the cities main square, Santuranticuy (which means “saints for sale”), is a temporary market. Thereupon, it’s one of the largest arts-and-crafts fairs in the country.
Subsequently the central figure of the Christmas fair is the Niño Manuelito. Besides the baby Manuelito, you’ll find the other Nativity figures -all with an Andean touch-, as well as saint’s images. Much appreciated are the boxed scenes, known as Retablos, whose small figurines can represent almost every aspect of live, secular or sacred, though for the occasion you’ll almost only find Nativity scenes.
Early Beginnings Of Christmas Market
Although the fair started as a Christmas specific market, over the years it expanded to include other goods like antiques, silverware, and ceramic objects brought from Pucará and Quinua. On this occasion at night, street vendors sell a traditional hot and sweet rum punch called ponche, to warm up chilly visitors.
To facilitate both clients and artisans, the fair has been divided into sectors, each of which aggregates a speciality product. Finally, among these you can find decorative ceramics, silverware, stone crafts, stone sculptures, paintings from the Escuela Cusqueña, and Niños Manuelitos.
For more about Christmas in Cusco and read the ‘Guide to celebrate Christmas in Cusco‘ on their website.
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