Celebrating Chile's National Day

Written By: Raúl Silva M.

The "Cueca", Chile's National Dance

Chile's Independence Day, popularly known as "el Dieciocho", takes place every 18 September, and depending on what day of the week the date falls, the celebrations can also include from 17 to 20 September. 

What it is actually commemorated is the creation of the First Government Junta on September 18, 1810, the first autonomous form of government emerged in Chile. The next day (19th) is celebrated "The Day of the Glories of the Army", with a Military Parade that takes place every year in the O'Higgins Park of Santiago, in the presence of the highest authorities of the country and people in general.

 

"Ramadas" and "Fondas"

Celebration of the National Day with typical garments
Image: 24horas.cl

Without a doubt, the Fondas and Ramadas are the most popular meeting places to commemorate Fiestas Patrias. These venues are a kind of improvised restaurants with dance floor, especially decorated for the occasion, usually with branches or leaves of typical trees and where the birthday of the country is celebrated enthusiastically. The Chilean Cueca (the National Dance) and empanadas (turnovers) in their various types are the highlights of this important date.

In addition to the typical Cueca of the central zone of the country, there are other variants such as the "Cueca Chilota", "Cueca Nortina", "Cueca Brava", the "Cueca Chora" which is especially identified with the seaports of Central Chile, etc. But all have the common feature of being very lively and festive. During these festivities as well as in all the folklore presentations you can see many people dressed as "Huasos" (countryman of the Central Zone) and "Chinas" (female Huaso) with their typical dresses dancing the Cueca. Other popular dances are the Cumbia ("imported" from Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, etc.) and tropical sounds like the Salsa and even Mexican "Rancheras", very popular in Chile as well.

As for gastronomy, the "Empanadas Chilenas" (Chilean-style turnovers) are the most famous and traditional food. It consists of a dough either fried or baked stuffed with ground beef, onion, raisins, boiled egg and an olive. Also famous are the "Cazuela de Ave", a very filling chicken or hen soup, the "Anticuchos" (Chilean style Brochettes) with beef, chicken, sausage, chorizo, onions, peppers besides the Chilean Roasts, Barbecues and the Choripan, a combined word to describe a chorizo in a piece of bread.

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, created by the people's ingenuity 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 

Military Parade at Parque O'Higgins

On September 19th,  the Day of the Glories of the Army is celebrated with a grand Military Parade in the O'Higgins Park Ellipse.

Chile is a country known for its highly disciplined and professional Armed Forces. Although this day was established in 1915 to commemorate the Army's glories, military parades in Chile have been a tradition since 1832. On that day (the 19th), the Army receives homage from the other armed institutions: the Air Force, Navy, and Carabineros de Chile, with the presence of invited delegations from neighboring and friendly countries.

Across the country, military parades are repeated, and there's also family fun, as many schools organize fundraising events known as "Kermeses". In parks and avenues, you can see children flying their kites, taking advantage of the spring breeze that's already arriving. Another traditional activity of this period, considered the National Sport for decades, is the Chilean Rodeo, although it has recently faced criticism due to concerns about animal welfare. This traditional activity has been practiced in Chile since colonial times, making it one of the most typical Chilean festivities, at least in the Central region of the country. Another popular game, especially at this time of year, is "Rayuela," which involves throwing metal circular discs towards a stringline placed across a small clay square.