Written By: Raúl Silva M.
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The "Cueca", Chile's National Dance |
"Ramadas" and "Fondas"
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Celebration of the National Day with typical garments, Chile Photo: 24horas.cl |
Apart from the different types of wine, of which Chile is a major producer, the most requested drinks by those attending the Fondas and Ramadas are the Chicha, the Vino Pipeño (special kind of wine fermented in barrels), the "Terremoto" (Earthquake), a drink prepared from Pipeño wine, pineapple ice cream and grenadine, invented shortly after the earthquake in Chile in 1985. Its name refers to the effect produced after drinking it...., even another drink is the "Replica" (afterschock).
Another activity within the National Day (18 September) is the Te Deum, liturgy of Thanksgiving which takes place at 11.00 AM at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, with the presence of the highest authorities of the country, led by the President of the Republic.
Other activities
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Military Parade at Parque O'Higgins Photo: 24horas.cl |
There is also fun for the family, in many schools are organized fund-raising events known as the Kermeses in Parks and Avenues you can also you see the children raising their kites, taking advantage of the spring breeze that is already coming. Another traditional activity of this period, which for decades has been considered the National Sport, is the Chilean Rodeo (although lately has been questioned by the animal abuse that this sport might imply). This traditional activity is practiced in Chile since colonial times, so it is considered among the most typical Chilean festivities, at least of the Central part of the country. Another Chilean typical game, especially at this time of year, is the "Rayuela", which consists of throwing metal circular discs towards a stringline placed across the width of a small clay square.
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