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On September 15th, at 6 p.m. all over main squares and central parks of Guatemala there is a civic act known as La arriada de la bandera (Haul down of the flag). The ceremony include several solemn activities like Juramento a la bandera (pledge alliance to the flag); Canto del Himno Nacional de Guatemala (Singing of the National Anthem) and a few speeches remembering the signing of the Independence Act and how many years has been thus far (187) since 1821.

In the picture above, you can appreciate the final moment of the lowering of the Guatemalan flag (far left) while students and the spectators position their right hand to salute the flag. This scene was capture at the small village of San Pedro Las Huertas.

With this final image we wave goodbye to September, Guatemala’s Independence month, and to the third consecutive year of the coverage of the Independence Day activities. In 2006, I focused on the marathons and the torches. In 2007, I covered the school parades. And in 2008, I have use the Guatemalan flag as the common thread. You can watch slide shows for each year to get a feel for what to expect and to compare three different photographic approaches for the same theme.

It is my hope that you have enjoyed the photos and explanations behind the celebration of independence in Guatemala. Please, let me know your opinions and thoughts; your feedback is greatly appreciated and expected.

You can watch a slide show of all the photos below:

Okay, how many shades of blue have you seen in the Guatemalan flag presented this month at La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo? Which blue is the official color?

Even though Guatemala’s Independence is celebrated on September 15th and the days prior to that date, in reality Guatemala’s independence is observe throughout September with flags and civic acts in schools.

As you can see in the picture above, flags hang from many windows and balconies at Calle del Arco. You can also look for the omnipresent chucho and the eternal bank queues around Antigua Guatemala’s Main Square.

La Antigua Guatemala is so full of antique signs that you can find while strolling around the ruins, buildings and parks. Today’s picture is no exception. The sign can be found at the Captains’ Palace and it reads:

Palace of the General Captains of the Kingdom of Goathemala, which during 231 years this city served as Capital of Central America.

I am sure that most people that visit La Antigua Guatemala get to see the fountain at the Main Square; some might even seat around the benches to contemplate the artistic and erotic hidden messages revealed by the ancient wail of the sirens’ allure. But, I am almost sure, almost nobody comes across this little sign describing the name of the fountain and the details about its creator. Am I wrong?

The sign above reads:
Fountain of the Main Square
So called of the Mermaids (Sirens)
Commissioned by the City Hall
To Main Architect Diego de Porres

To answer MO’s questions: There are four identical mermaids (sirenas in Spanish), give or take the normal wear. These are not the original mermaids designed by Arquitecto Mayor Diego de Porres in 1738-1739; these are new replicas. You can find the original mermaids inside the Museo de Armas (Old Weapons Museum) right across Central Park, on the north side.

You can click the picture below to see the mermaids as they stand inside la Fuente (llamada de las sirenas) de la Plaza Mayor or Fountain (called of the sirens) at the Main Square.

September has been one of the rainiest month thus far, but you would not know it by looking at the recent daily photos, right? Well, around Guatemala’s Independence Day on September 15th, we were lucky to have a few dry days or with very little rain. Today’s capture was taken at the heart of La Antigua Guatemala’s Central Park: The Mermaids Fountain (La fuente de las sirenas). I was lucky to see that I could catch the weather conditions through the sunshine reflected on the running water of the fountain; don’t you think?

If you’re missing a little sunshine in your life, like we are know, you can always download the image above and use it as desktop wallpaper (available up to 1200×900).

As close as we are to Fuego and Acatenango Volcanoes, Volcán de Agua (Water volcano) is the one you see almost at the end of every street (to be precise I should say avenues). Volcán de Agua, located south of Antigua, is the only compass you need while strolling around La Antigua Guatemala.

It’s easy to forget, after a while, how close we live to an active volcano in La Antigua Guatemala. The volcano you see in the background is Volcán de Acatenango, which is a doble-cone volcano. To the left of Acatenango volcano is Volcán de Fuego (Fire Volcano) which is active and quite possibly the most dangerous volcano in Guatemala. There are 33 volcanoes in Guatemala, but only three are active. Often at night or during the day, we can hear Volcán de Fuego roaring as it expels lava and gases onto the sky.

The picture above, believe it or not, was taken at La Antigua Guatemala’s Central Park.

These little pre-primary school girls looked so cute with their uniforms for Independence Day Celebrations. I had to get the camera all the way on the floor to be able to catch them as they stride to find the position of their school in front of the Cathedral, in Central Park.

I really like the movement and angle in this picture; what do you think, does it work for you?