Faith and devotion mark central day of Urkupiña festivities; President Paz to attend mass

Thousands of devotees are converging on Quillacollo, Bolivia, for the central day of the Virgen de Urkupiña festivities, one of the country's most significant religious celebrations. This year, President Rodrigo Paz is expected to join other authorities at the 11:00 AM mass held at the San Ildefonso temple.

The festivities honor the Virgin Mary, whose devotion has spread beyond Bolivia's borders. The event's central day on August 15th is marked by religious ceremonies, with pilgrims coming to express gratitude, renew promises, and pray for health, work, and family. The tradition dates back to the 18th century, linked to apparitions of the Virgin Mary on a local hill, giving rise to the name "Urkupiña," meaning "already on the hill" in Quechua.

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Our President's presence at 11 in the morning for the central mass at the atrium of the Temple of San Ildefonso of Quillacollo is confirmed.

This year's celebration follows the "Gran Entrada Folklórica" on Friday, which featured 84 dance ensembles performing traditional Bolivian dances like Morenadas, Caporales, and Diabladas. Visitors from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, and the United States are among the international attendees, alongside Bolivians from various regions, highlighting the event's national and international reach.

A unique tradition involves pilgrims taking stones from the hill, symbolizing their requests and commitments of faith. The celebration in Quillacollo is described as a "land of national integration, united by love, faith, and devotion to the Virgin Mary of Urkupiña."

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We are in the land of national integration, united by love, faith, and devotion to the Virgin Mary of Urkupiña.