Fiestas Patrias 18 de Septiembre - Chile's 4th of July

Never, in my wildest dreams, did I ever imagine that 44 years later to the day, I would be in the exact same location in Chillán Chile to watch as the Chileans celebrate their "Fiestas Patrias" (national parties) or their equivalent of July 4th.

Chillán - 18 September 1969

Chillán - 18 September 2013

The Chilean people love their independence and their culture and celebrate it for an entire week. It is known here in Chile as "Dieciocho" or the 18th.  It is a week of vacation for schools and many others take the week off to celebrate. It is the biggest holiday of the year for Chileans.

The children are taught to embrace their culture and they do.

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The Chilean cowboys are called "huasos" for boys and "huasas" for girls.  They ride horses and their traditional clothing includes a straight brimmed straw hat called a "chupalla", a "manta" or poncho which is worn over a short waist jacket (usually white),  leather leggings and boots with 4 inch long spurs.

Elder and Sister Mora dressed in the traditional outfits at the Retiro Branch "Dieciocho" celebration. They are senior missionaries from southern Chile and he is serving as branch president in Retiro.

Another important tradition is dancing the traditional dance "la cueca" where the coy "huasa" is courted by the persistent "huaso."  




Of course every Chilean celebration has to include food and the Retiro Branch had plenty of food.  It is traditional to have a Bar-B-Q for the "Dieciocho".

Pots of Potatoes cooked over an open fire

With all the trimmings - lettuce, tomatoes, potato salad, celery salad, pea salad, and rice

Part of the celebration is honoring the military.  During the morning festivities in the plaza in Chillán the military was on full display.  They even "sang" the Chilean national anthem.  Not quite the tabernacle choir but lots of gusto.

18 Sep 2013 national anthem from PulsiphersinChile on Vimeo.
Here are the words to the chorus:

         Spanish                                            English Translation

Dulce Patria, recibe los votos            Sweet Fatherland accept the vows
Con que Chile en tus aras juró:          With which Chile swore at your altars
Que o la tumba serás de los libres      Either the tomb of the free you will be
O el asilo contra la opresión               Or the refuge against oppression
Que o la tumba serás de los libres      Either the tomb of the free you will be
O el asilo contra la opresión               Or the refuge against oppression
Que o la tumba serás de los libres      Either the tomb of the free you will be
O el asilo contra la opresión               Or the refuge against oppression
O el asilo contra la opresión               Or the refuge against oppression
O el asilo contra la opresión.              Or the refuge against oppression

Catalina poses with Hermana & Elder Pulsipher