Semana Santa, the Holy Week of Easter, is the most important Catholic religious festival in Latin America. It begins on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) through Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Good Friday), culminating in Pascua or Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday). Semana Santa celebrates the last days of Christ’s life, the Crucifixion and Resurrection, as well as the end of Lent. So my Nona Hora project trip was meant to be a part of this Festival :)
I was lucky to enjoy this year’s Celebrations of Semana Santa in two of the largest cities of Latin America- Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru. I started my Semana Santa on Palm Sunday in Santiago de Chile, visiting Metropolitan Cathedral on Plaza de Armas, and finished it on Good Friday on Plaza de Armas in Lima. Actually, I was departing from Lima on Easter Sunday night. Each day of the Holy Week has its own celebrations, rituals, processions through the streets. There are masses and religious observations, prayer meetings, and thousands of devout Catholics doing homage. During the week the city plazas become the stages and street food markets. That’s the best time for street photography!
You may also wish to check out my other photo posts from Semana Santa in Santiago de Chile and Lima, Peru:
Santiagueños – Santiago People
The Faces Of Santiago De Chile
Santiago de Chile: Street Photographer’s Paradise
Lima, Peru – The City Of Kings.
The following photo set contains color and black-and-white images. Click on image to view black-and-white version.
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
Semana Santa – The Holy Week of Easter in Latin America
I am enthralled with the Santiago de Chile photo (Mirror reflection shot).
Love the old/new juxtaposition and the twist that the old is reflected in the new (as it is often in life).
SO many good points, angles, philosophical points in that one photo
Maria recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Park Guell
Thank you, Maria. You’ve made my day.
A really colourful series, Alex. You’ve brought your experience to life for us in a fascinating way!
Andrew Graeme Gould recently posted..Santiago, Chile: Cerro Santa Lucía
Thanks, Andrew. I got a lot of joy that week and very glad to share it! And thank you again for being such a wonderful host! All my photography in Santiago de Chile would be impossible without you. Thanks!
It was great having you here, Alex! Until the next time, then…
Andrew Graeme Gould recently posted..Santiago, Chile: Cerro Santa Lucía
Hopefully, next time will be in Atlanta, Andrew ;)
Memographer recently posted..Incas Secret Chamber found at Machu Picchu (Photo Mapping)
Yes!
Andrew Graeme Gould recently posted..Manhattan, New York: Chinatown at night
What an amazing time to visit, love that you were able to experience the festival! That cross on the hill is gorgeous!
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..UYC’s Walks: Lower East Side, Loop 1
Thanks, Jess! Yes, I had a great time.
As I understood, Semana Santa is the only time when local authorities let people go uphill to that Cross.
Memographer recently posted..Rosalynn’s Flowers at Jimmy’s Center