Common Threads, a blog from Peruvian Connection

Happy Independence Day, Peru!

July 28th commemorates the 189th anniversary of Peru’s independence from Spanish rule, won by the Argentine liberator, General Jose de San Martin, in 1821.

Although Peruvian Independence Day is officially on the 28th, the festivities traditionally begin on the night of the 27th and go on until the 29th. On the 27th, Peruvians often play folk and Creole music in plazas and public parks. At dawn on July 28, a salute of 21 canons heralds the raising of the national flag followed by a presidential speech. On this day throughout the country there are military parades, fireworks, bullfighting, livestock exhibitions and fairs, where traditional crafts and foods are sold. On the 29th, families and friends get together for parties and general merriment. Tourism tends to increase during these holidays with visitors coming from all over to join in the celebrations.

Want to celebrate Peruvian Independence Day from the comfort of your own home? Try a Pisco Sour, the traditional Peruvian cocktail made from pisco (Peruvian grape brandy), egg whites, lime juice and sugar. Or try Chicha, a popular Andean drink made from fermented maize and different aromatic herbs.

 

Pisco Sour (makes 2 servings)
4 oz. pisco brandy
2 T simple syrup (or sugar)
2 T fresh lime juice
2 tsp. pasteurized egg whites
Angostura bitters
Lime wedges, for garnish

In a blender, add pisco, sugar, fresh lime juice, egg whites and a handful of ice cubes. Blend until smooth and serve straight up in a chilled martini glass or champagne flute. For an aromatic garnish, top with a dash of angostura bitters and a wedge of lime. If you prefer not to blend it, add all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake well, then serve.

The Mysterious Nazca Lines

On the arid coastal plains of Southern Peru lie the cultural markings of the great Nazca people from thousands of years ago. With the rise of air travel in the 1920’s, researchers discovered giant desert markings that have become "one of the most baffling enigmas of archaeology." Now known as "Nazca Lines," these markings were large figures and lines constructed on the desert surface, with some images over 300 feet long.. The figures were often drawings of animals, fish, birds, geometric designs and even anthropomorphic images. Like the great mystery of the Egyptian pyramids, these drawings have continued to puzzle researchers-from the massive size to the ambiguous meaning. This discovery thrust public spotlight on the Nazca people, whose culture has been preserved by the same conditions that may have led to their demise: the arid desert climate.

Between 200 BC and AD 600, the Nazca people produced textiles and ceramics that were amazingly artistic and surprisingly technical. Due to the arid climate, many of these objects were perfectly preserved in their original state and continue to inspire awe all across the globe. They even invented a technique of mixing a dozen mineral pigments in a thin wash of clay so that colors could be baked directly into pottery. This society also constructed large pyramids and developed a highly complex system of underground canals. However, it was the discovery of the massive geoglyphs that earned the Nazca people their notoriety. Even though geoglyphs have been found in other regions, none compare to the vast scale of the Nazca Lines.

These desert markings are created by simply removing a layer of darker stones on the ground, exposing the lighter sand beneath. They have survived largely due to the lack of rain. We know who did them and mostly how, but researchers have yet to discover why. They have been explained as settings on an astronomical calendar, Inca roads, irrigation plans and, most incredulously, as landing strips for alien ships. However, the lines have long been associated with water, which was crucial to the survival of the Nazca people. The Nazca culture was built upon the parched valleys of Southern Peru and the people seemed to move east or west along the rivers as rainfall patterns shifted. Water was always a critical problem because the Nazca River can be completely dry for several months to several years at a time. It is believed that the Nazca society collapsed at the end of the 6th century when the aridity culminated and water became detrimentally scarce.

Renowned researcher Johan Reinhard interprets the lines as sacred gathering places directed towards the deities, especially the Water Gods. The images may have been so large partly because deities were believed to dwell on mountain tops. Even today, offerings for rain in Peru are made to the mountains. Researchers found sea shells and ceremonial drinking vessels at some of the geoglyphs, especially at mounds of stones found on the lines. Reinhard explains that stone mounds were used as places for making offerings to mountains and were often perceived as representing the mountains themselves. This theory connecting the Nazca Lines to water/mountain rituals is further supported by the symbolism behind the images, such as birds, insects and oceanic creatures.

Images of birds are common figures in the Nazca Lines. Even today, the sighting of a heron, pelican or condor is interpreted as sign that it will rain in the mountains. The condor specifically is largely believed to be the materialization of the Mountain Gods. Hummingbirds are sometimes considered intermediaries with or manifestations of Mountain Gods. The sea birds, such as the heron or pelican, are clearly associated with the ocean.

Animal and insect figures were also common among the images. The monkey and lizard may have been symbols of water because they are associated with places where water is available. Furthermore, when lizards come out it is commonly interpreted as a sign that rain is coming. Spiders and millipedes also appear shortly before it is about to rain. The large marine creatures, such as the shark or whale, have an obvious connection to the water-giving ocean. Foxes were believed to be the "dogs" of Mountain Gods and it was common for the Incas to tie dogs outside to howl until the Weather God sent rain. All of these symbolisms point to ritual offerings to the Gods praying for rain.

There is also evidence that the Nazca Lines were used for ceremonial processions, as a stage for sacred walks. Some researchers believed that as the population rose and more people participated in the rituals, the geoglyphs took on more open, geometrical patterns. Some trapezoids even stretched farther than 2,000 feet. Data also shows that trapezoids and other geometric shapes were created in places where they could be viewed from a number of vantage points, so many people could observe.

Although many cultural relics from the Nazca society have been preserved, there remains a significant lack of historical information dating to the time the geoglyphs were made. Researchers have been able to piece together hypothetical world views based on images found on pottery, drawn in the sand and woven into textiles, but there exists only objects. There are no written accounts from this time or any other unambiguous data. It is clear that the precise nature and meaning of the Nazca Lines will never be known, nor will the whole story of these amazing people ever be told. However, their enigmatic lines and artistic cultural productions will always be a source of inspiration for designers across the world.

Read more in travel writer Rodney Dodig's account of his trip to see the lines: The Nasca Lines: An Incredible Fly-Over

Threads of Peru Fiber Dyeing Workshop Revives Traditions

by guest blogger, Kelsey Quam

Last month, the textile project Threads of Peru sponsored a wool dyeing workshop led by textile expert Daniel Sonqo in the remote indigenous communities of Chaullaqocha, Chupani, and Rumira. Weavers of each community weavers association worked for several months to hand-spin up to 3 kilos of wool from their own alpacas which was sheared and washed prior to spinning and dyeing. (The entire weaving process is shear > wash > dry > comb > spin > wash > dye > rinse > ply > warp > weave). The alpaca wool was mixed with different plants that grow locally. Over two arduous days spent in each community, weavers worked together to obtain over ten different shades of colored alpaca wool that will be used to weave textiles. They also learned how to select and use plants that grow locally in future dyeing projects, thus contributing to the survival of this traditional practice that was practiced by their ancestors but is being used less and less as synthetic fiber has become common in Andean weaving.　

Cochineal, an insect that grows on the face of cacti, yields over 20 shades of red, pink, and even blue depending on the type of fixant used. In addition to textile art, its red color serves as a food additive and as a cosmetic dye. Since cochineal is nearly neutral (5.5 pH), it requires a large amount of fixant (ie. table salt, alum, iron oxide, citric acid, or a combination of the above).　Cochineal grows in the Sacred Valley, about 1000 m below these communities, but is not easily accessible and is mainly sold commercially. Price makes it nearly impossible for weavers of these communities to obtain cochineal. This year, torrential rains and flooding in Febuary wiped out a substantial portion of the cochineal crop and caused the price to jump from around $20/kilo to nearly $80/kilo, depending on where it was sold. For more information on cochineal, see the book Cochineal Red: The Art History of a Color by Elena Phipps, and our blog: Color Your World.

While the vivid shades of red and pink obtained through cochineal are irreplaceable, several alternatives come close to matching cochineal’s beauty. Mot’e mot’e, for instance, is a tree with black fruit whose red, pulpy pit produces red-purple wool when fixed with salt and citric acid. However, it grows at 3700m on jagged mountain slopes away from sunlight and is difficult to collect. Yamamiyo produces many of the same shades as cochineal and is cheaper but still requires a bit of cochineal. Nukch’u is a plant with bright red flowers that grows near the community of Chupani. It doesn’t yield a color as bright as cochineal but produces softer reds and pinks that resemble a cochineal whose water bath has been used several times. While these alternatives are still possible to use, cochineal continues to dominate the market through its unique red colors that mark the beauty of Andean textiles and are craved throughout the world.

Besides the potential to use plants that currently grow near the communities, Daniel Sonqo pointed out the possibility of planting new plants for wool dyeing, trees for firewood, and starting greenhouses where plants not accustomed to the harsh environment and high elevation could be cultivated for dyeing. Several plants used in wool dyeing could grow in such environment, including q’olle, ch’illka de altura, tallanka de altura, and kinsaqocha. Community members could plant queuna, pine, and eucalyptus trees on vacant land to use for firewood and reforestation. The empty greenhouse at the primary school could provide an environment for non-native plants.

The potential to develop easy access to a variety of plants used in wool dyeing is here, but as textile expert Daniel Sonqo puts it, ‘Right now the people do not care for nor value the plants. No one is teaching these values. This is why they’ve started using what is easy- synthetic dye.’ ‘Now we’re in the age of recovering these traditions, but it’s difficult to change from what was before.’ Cultural revitalization programs – such as dyeing workshops – sponsored by NGOs, cooperatives, and textile projects, bring hope to indigenous weavers in revitalizing their textile traditions and revalorizing the culture in which these traditions were born.

Examples of traditional Andean dyeing and weaving can be seen our Chuspa Bag and Inca Sash.

About the author: Kelsey Quam just returned from a year in Peru as a Fulbright scholar. She worked with the textile project Threads of Peru in three remote, indigenous communities in the Cusco region: Chaullaqocha, Chupani, and Rumira Sondormayo. Her project examined traditional weaving ‘revitalization’ efforts taken by NGOs, cooperatives, and international organizations as intersected by a growing interest among the international community in recovering traditional practices in Andean weaving. While in the communities she also learned a bit of Quechua and mastered the backstrap loom. She holds a BA in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound.

Labor Day in May?

That’s right, for the majority of the world, May 1st is a day to pay homage to those who ardently struggled for the worker’s rights we now have. Although Labor Day in America (celebrated in September) involves cook-outs and swimming pools, May Day around the world involves organized street demonstrations and marches.

The Labor Movement first began in the early 19th century during the Industrial Revolution in Britain, when large factories imposed dauntingly long hours and poor working conditions. Without labor protection rights, even the youngest children were subject to working 10 to 16 hours a day, 6 days a week. In 1817 Robert Owen had formulated the demand for "Eight hours labor, Eight hours recreation, Eight hours rest" which became a popular slogan as workers across the globe fought for better working conditions. It was not until 1866 that the International Workingmen’s Association took up this order for an eight-hour day at its convention in Geneva, stating, "the legal limitation of the working day is a preliminary condition without which all further attempts at improvements and emancipation of the working class must prove abortive." However, these conditions were not guaranteed to most workers for decades to come.

The International Worker’s Day (or Labor Day) was formally recognized beginning in late 19th century when international demonstrators were called upon to strike and protest against poor working conditions. This call for protests and strikes was born as a commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago. On May 1st, 1886, workers had organized a strike in the streets of Chicago, demanding an 8-hour work day. During the strike, Chicago police opened fire, killing several demonstrators. In 1890, at the Second International meeting in Paris, Raymond Lavigne called for international demonstrations on the anniversary of the Chicago protests. This riot was so successful that May Day was subsequently declared an annual event. Then in 1904 the International Socialist Conference called on "all Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on May First for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace." Although rights were not guaranteed all at once across the world, countries slowly realized they had no choice but to meet these demands.

Ever since these formidable events, May Day has been a focal point for demonstrations and protests. Today, May 1st is recognized as an International Holiday to celebrate the social and economic achievements of the international labor movement. Out of their struggles, the 8 hour work day has become standard, child labor laws have been enacted and basic workers rights have been upheld. This May Day workers in countries such as Peru, France, Brazil, Japan, Germany and many, many more will march through the streets in solidarity for the great achievements of years passed.

Through the Grapevine

March is a time for dusting out closets and heralding the first glimpses of spring sunshine. In Peru, it’s the time of the annual grape harvest. Every year, the southern Peruvian city of Ica hosts the traditional International Vintage Festival (Fiesta de la Vendimia), celebrating an important agricultural gem, the grapevine. The abundance of grapes in Ica is especially celebratory because the greenery of local vineyards stretches across hundreds of acres of once desolate desert. The first vines were brought by the Spanish centuries ago and has turned a bone-dry desert into fertile land. The whole city participates in the festivities along with an estimated 200,000 tourists who flock to Ica for the majestic celebration.

The Vintage Festival is kicked off with a colorful parade, where folk dancers and traditional music invigorate the merriment. During the parade, the people of Ica crown their Queen of the Vintage Festival. The Queen will then ceremoniously tread through a grape-filled vat to extract the sweet juice, which will eventually be fermented into either wine or pisco. Pisco is a clear distilled grape brandy made from the quebranta grapes grown in the fertile Ica valley. To partake in the festivities at your home, try serving up the national drink of Peru, the  
Pisco Sour (see recipe in our Fiestas Patrias blog). Made from simple sugar syrup, lime juice, pisco and frothy egg whites, the tangy Pisco Sour is sure to brighten any day.

During the week-long Vintage Festival, the streets of Ica are filled with fairs, floats, competitions and mouth-watering local sweets. Tejas, a delicious confection made from pecans or candied fruits, filled with caramel and then coated with sugary icing, are a traditional favorite during this time. Locals are also known to host parties where guests dance the traditional Afro-Peruvian festejo, which celebrates Peruvian Independence. Although the celebration formally ends March 15th, these festive vines will continue to inspire remarkable pieces such as our Vendage Cardigan and Grapevine Skirt, as well as out Tendrils Pima T-Shirt.

Sweet Peaks of Suspiro de Limeña

With an irresistible layer of dulce de leche custard topped with a port spiked meringue, Suspiro de Limeña is one of the most beloved desserts in Lima, Peru. Tracing its origins to the reputable cook Amparo Ayarez from the early 19th century, this Peruvian parfait has earned its renown as a cultural favorite. Translated to mean "the sigh of a woman (from Lima)", it is believed that this special name was coined by Ayarez’s husband, the famous Peruvian poet and author José Gálvez. When asked what inspired the name, he reportedly replied "because it is soft and sweet like the sigh of a woman". If that statement doesn’t melt your heart, the delectably smooth richness of this dessert surely will.

This classic Peruvian dessert has a clear Spanish influence. The limelight of Suspiro de Limeña, Dulce de Leche, comes from a Spanish dish common in the Middle Ages known as Blancmange. It was a thick custard made from milk, sugar, almonds and flour. The concept of meringue also came to Peru via Spanish colonizers. Despite this Spanish influence, this mouth-watering parfait is distinctly Peruvian.

Add some ethnic flair to your cuisine and impress your friends by preparing these remarkable parfaits yourself. Although time-consuming, Suspiro de Limeña is relatively simple to make. The traditional recipe for dulce de leche uses only milk, sugar and egg yolks, but more modern versions of the dessert use evaporated and sweetened condensed canned milks. Suspiro de Limeña is sweet, creamy and unbelievably rich. It will spark an explosion of flavor and texture and elicit a sigh of pure pleasure.

The recipe below is found in our favorite Peruvian cookbook: The Art of Peruvian Cuisine by Tony Custer. This book is not only a gastronomical wonder abounding with authentic recipes, it is a feast for the eyes with a smorgasbord of beautiful photographs. Even though the book is no longer in print, we harbor a limited supply at our retail stores. If you are interested in snagging one of these foodie gems, please call our Customer Service department at (800) 221-8520 and an agent will be happy to assist you. I hope you feel as inspired to delve into the Peruvian culinary arts as I do!

Ingredients:

-1 can evaporated milk (14 1 /2 oz)

-1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)

-8 egg yolks

-1 cup port wine

-1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

-4 eggs whites

-ground cinnamon for dusting

To prepare the caramel:

Combine the two milks in a heavy-based pan and simmer gently over low heat, stirring continually with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens and the spoon leaves tracks across the bottom of the pan, about 1 hour.

Take off the heat and whisk in beaten egg yolks. Leave to cool and then pour into shallow dessert bowl or individual serving cups.

To prepare the syrup (for the meringue):

Combine sugar and port in a small pan and boil until syrup forms an unbroken thread when dropped from the spoon.

To prepare the meringue:

Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Continue beating, adding hot syrup in a slow steady stream.

Mound the meringue on top of the caramel mixture and dust lightly with ground cinnamon.

Enjoy!

(For more Peruvian recipes, see the newsletter section of our website, or see our latest recipe for empanadas.)

--Amanda Hart

A Peruvian Christmas

Peru may seem a world away, but the Western traditions of Christmas will be highly recognizable. Even though Christmas actually occurs during the summer months in Peru, Santa Claus, known as Papa Noel, is still depicted as a jolly white-haired man wearing a large red coat, gloves and a hat. The western influence is obvious, but many aspects of the holiday have been melded with decidedly Peruvian features.

With nearly 75% of the population identifying with Catholicism, the celebration of the birth of Jesus is an important event. The rural context of the nativity scene makes it especially identifiable to the people of Peru. On December 24th, known as "Noche Buena", people flock to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco for the annual Santuranticuy market, which literally means "buying of the saints". Artisans fill the street with handmade figurines, including Jesus, Mary, Joseph, angels and shepherds, carved from Huamanga stone, gourds, glass or even wood. Retablos, wooden boxes with a carved image of the nativity scene inside, are also wildly popular. Most families traditionally buy the pieces for their nativity scenes at this market, keeping them on display until the celebrations on January 6th.

Another distinct feature of Peruvian Christmas is the practice of "chocolatadas". During the week of Christmas, especially on the 24th, it is common for families, churches and organizations to offer cups of hot chocolate to those less fortunate. Chocolatadas are a celebration of togetherness and selfless giving.

After the preparation of the nativity scene, families return home for a grand Christmas Eve dinner, often replete with an all too familiar turkey, wine and a fruit filled bread known as Paneton. At midnight, fireworks light up the sky and dancing fills the street. The Christmas celebration continues through the week until la Bajada de los Reyes, "the arrival of the three wise men", on January 6th. Following the tradition of the three wise men, people typically exchange gifts on this day.

With Christmas only a couple weeks away, we want to wish everyone, from North and South, a Happy Holiday! Be sure to check out our fabulous gift-gallery or to give the gift of hope, consider an altruistic donation to the Pro Mujer foundation, which helps empower and support women in Peru.  You can help support ProMujer with the purchase of a silky-soft Baby Llama Throw, with all proceeds benefitting ProMujer, or by sending them a tax deductible donation.
¡Feliz Navidad!

--Amanda Hart

The Tale of an Orchid

I have always coveted the breath-taking, stylistic beauty of orchids, but much to my chagrin, our climate is not conducive to their survival. Despite my best efforts to negate this reality, I have been reduced to appreciating their natural artistry through photos and dreams. My adoration exploded when I recently discovered that my beloved vanilla beans come from orchids. It seemed too good to be true: two of my favorite things combined in one glorious package! This culmination of love sent me reeling into a frenzy of research and fascination. What other miracles were hiding within these gorgeous plants? Coincidentally, I learned that orchids thrive in the rich climate of Peru, with over 3,000 different varieties found in all three regions: from the coast of the Pacific, to the Andean highlands and the jungle areas.

Orchids were accidentally discovered by a British explorer, Swainson, who was collecting moss samples in the Amazonian jungle regions of South America for the horticulturalist William Cattley. Back in Great Britain, the collected samples produced beautiful lavender flowers, which became known as Cattleya orchids in 1818. Ever since this "official" recognition of orchids, more than 30,000 varieties have been identified around the world. This rare Cattleya Rex variety is strongly rooted in the city of Moyobamba in the northern high jungle of Peru. Known as "The Orchid City," Moyobamba is home to the most diverse selection of wild orchids in the world.

Although orchids were not officially classified until 1818, it is believed that these marvelous wonders existed thousands of years before. An ancient Quechua legend tells of a tragic "Romeo and Juliet" love story enchanted by bright red orchids. It is told that a young Incan princess destined to marry the Sun God fell hopelessly in love with a victorious warrior. Upon learning of their romance, her father, the Inca King, sent the warrior to the battlefields of the Amazonian mountains, knowing his death would be imminent. Heartbroken with tears streaming down her face, the princess followed her beloved into the forest. According to the legend, wherever her tears fell a bright red orchid bloomed, leaving a trail for her lost lover to follow. This bright red orchid, now known as Masdevallia Veitchiana is thought to be the most beautiful orchid variety and has even been honored with the First Class Certificate, the prestigious award of the American Orchid Society.

Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, houses the largest private orchid collection, with 372 species growing in the sanctuary of their natural habitat. Like Moyobamba (The Orchid City), tourists can embark on official "orchid tours" or enjoy leisurely strolls through the vast orchid trails. With awe-inspiring orchids blooming year round, this is simply one more reason to visit the marvelous world of Peru. I for one can’t wait to get lost in the perfumed beauty of the orchid trails!

Orchids have inspired artists and PC's designs over the years, including the Wild Orchid Silk Shift and the Floral Lacework Tunic, and a stylized orchid adorns this Holiday's Black Orchid Headband.

--Amanda Hart

Balancing the Scale

^{On August 26th, 1920, American women finally achieved victory in their struggle for equal voting rights with the passage of the 19th amendment. While American women were proudly waving the flag and casting their ballots, women across the Pacific were only knee-deep in the river of feminist revolution. These revolutionary concepts quickly flooded Latin American shores, but it was an arduous battle for Peruvian women against the patriarchal currents of control.}

^{The highly stratified, aristocratic society of Peru made it extremely difficult for Peruvian women to break free from the "housewife" mold men had created for them. However, the flood gates could not withstand the international pressures promoting equality and universal voting rights.}

^{María Jesús Alvarado is considered the "Elizabeth Cady Stanton" of the Peruvian suffrage movement. Her socialist writings and motivated activism fueled the fire for women’s suffrage in Peru at exactly the same time American women were celebrating their victory. María succeeded in founding Peru’s first women’s rights organization, Evolución Feminina, in 1915. By 1924, she was imprisoned for her "radical" ideas and then banished to Argentina.}

^{After Carrie Chapman Catt, a forerunner of the American suffragist movement,visited Peru in 1923 the National Council of Women in Peru was founded. It was then that Peruvian women relentlessly began fighting for their right to vote. With the reality of American suffrage in the background, it was no longer a hopeless dream. However, it was not until 1955 that Peruvian women finally balanced the gender scale and gained the right to vote from President Manuel Odría, who hoped to secure their support in the upcoming presidential election.}

^{Today is not only a day to celebrate our political freedoms here in America, but it is a day to recognize the unforgettable heroism and fervor of women worldwide.}

^{Amanda Hart}

A Time to Celebrate: Peruvian Independence

This July 28th, help kick off Fiestas Patrias, which commemorates 188 years of Peruvian Independence! Peruvians celebrate this time-honored event with 2 full days of festivities which includes exciting bullfights, parades, fireworks, fairs and exhibitions. Indigenous crafts, from the elaborately embroidered textiles of the Paracas to the glorified monoliths of the Chavín, and traditional foods, including Alfajores and Ceviche, are showcased during these celebrations. This year, Peruvian Connection invites you to join in the festivities of sweet liberation with recipes, history and our famous textiles.

After 300 years of advanced development, the prominent Quechua Empire of the Incas collapsed in 1533, shortly after the arrival of the Spaniards. Lima was quickly established as the imperialistic capital for Spanish economy. With the vast wealth that was developing in Peru, exploitation of mines and workers erupted; killing millions of Indians as labor increased and food supplies dwindled. Unfortunately, internal uprisings for independence were continually stifled by Peruvian Royalists helping the Spanish crown. In the end, revolution was bred by foreigners: Argentinean general José de San Martín and Venezuelan commander Simón Bolívar.

San Martín, revered as the Father of Independence, landed on the shores of Peru in 1820, quickly capturing the port of Pisco. After monumentally claiming victory over Lima, he officially proclaimed Peruvian Independence on July 28th 1821. However, Spanish domination over South America was not fully achieved until 1824 under the commanding forces of Simón Bolívar, who took over leadership of the liberation movement in 1822. He secured Peru’s Independence by defeating the Spanish troops at the battles of Junín and Ayacucho.

Fiestas Patrias begins at dawn every year on July 28th with a 21 cannon salute. Ever since Independence, it has been customary for the President of Peru to deliver an Address to the Nation, which provides an account of the nation’s progress to date. If a new president has been elected, it is on this day that he will assume his active duties.

The second day of festivities, July 29th, is in honor of the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru. On this morning, the Archbishop of Lima commemorates the Mass of Te Deum, an early Christian hymn of praise. Following mass is The Great Military Parade, in which the Peruvian Armed Forces and the National Police participate in a grand procession. Along with these official ceremonies, decorations, foods and crafts fill the streets of Peru.

To join in the festivities, wear your red and white, the national colors of Peru, whip up a batch of traditional Alfajores (see recipe in our Christmas newsletter) and enjoy a cool, refreshing Pisco Sour, the national cocktail of Peru. To prepare this wildly popular cocktail, simply combine 1 egg white (or 2 T pasteurized egg white), juice of ½ lime, 2T sugar and 2 oz of Peruvian pisco (1/4 C) and blend until frothy. Top with a few drops of Angostura bitters for an authentic taste. If Peruvian pisco, a Muscat-grape brandy, is unavailable try grappa or white rum as a substitute. Salud!

Amanda Hart