Chile Independence Day, celebrated as Fiestas Patrias, occurs on September 18th each year, commemorating the 1810 declaration of independence from Spanish rule. This two-day holiday, often called the "Dieciocho," involves traditional music, dancing like the cueca, food such as empanadas and anticuchos, and gatherings at festive spaces called fondas and ramdas.
What it commemorates
·
September 18, 1810:
This date marks the first governing body in Chile, a pivotal step toward independence from Spain.
· War of Independence:
The declaration began an eight-year war, with full independence officially proclaimed on February 12, 1818.
Key aspects of the celebration
· Fiestas Patrias: A beloved national holiday filled with vibrant festivities and traditional cultural practices.
· Dieciocho: The name for the celebration, meaning "eighteenth," after the key date.
· Traditional food: Attendees enjoy empanadas, anticuchos (grilled meat skewers), and the local drink, terremoto.
· Music and dance: The national dance, the cueca, is performed, accompanied by folk music.
· Gatherings: People gather at fondas and ramadas, which are festive spaces for socializing, dancing, and celebrating.
· National pride: The celebration fosters a strong sense of national pride and
provides an opportunity to experience Chilean culture firsthand.
