As I mentioned yesterday, on September 15th, Guatemala and the other Central American countrieswill be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Independence. Sadly, because of the pandemic, most massive events will not be allowed. So, Guatemalans are mostly observing the Bicentennial with flags, firecracker bombs and on the streets photo exhibitions… TAP to see the full size photo and post.
Starting at the end of August, the ambulant flag vendors hit the streets with every flag size and shade of blue to celebrate Guatemala’s Independence Day, or rather month as we do here. So, September dresses up with lot shades of blue. What shade of blue is actually the official color of the Guatemalan flag?
So, what shade of blue is the Guatemalan flag, come on, are you going to tell us? I learned that in parvulitos ( the shade of blue, not the constitution). Like many other things in Guate, it;s confusing. It’s suppose to be “azul cielo” or sky blue, but the two blocks on the flag represent … Read more
Okay, so we agreed that the official blue color of the Guatemalan flag should brilliant blue or celestial blue code ISCC-NBS 177 according to Decreto 104-97 [PDF] and as noted for a second or third time in the archives of AntiguaDailyPhoto. However, I’d say that the shade of blue really depends on what the flag … Read more
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 … Read more
The photo above was taken on August 31st, which was a payday and that is why you see all those people were queuing to get their salary from the banks. Tomorrow, Guatemalans will be queuing again to cast their vote. Also, this was the first time (this year) I noticed the Guatemalan flags that will adorn the buildings through September, which is the independence month. Guatemala’s so called independence from Spain is celebrated on September 15th. Check out the Independence Day Slideshow from last year.
I read recently (I don’t recall where at the moment) that to be truly independent a country must have sufficient wealth as to not have to depend on an outsider (duh!); well, let me break it to you guys, Guatemala has not been an independent country for the last 500 years or so. When I was teenager, I remember reading a Mafalda anthology where Mafalda was reading a history book and all of sudden she screams: You mean we were part of Spain, who the hell had the bright idea of independizarnos (freed us from Spain)! Back then, I laughed so hard at the comic strip, but just now I get the joke. Thanks Quino. 🙁
Yesterday we took a look south to see the colossal Volcán de Agua towering over the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala. Today we turn our sight southwest slightly to see the hyperactive Volcán de Fuego and the slightly taller and with two-crater Volcán Acatenango. By the way, Volcano Acatenango is not inactive; last time it … Read more
Guatemala’s Independence is celebrated through the entire month of September even though the official date falls on the 15th. Independence bunting is often found in doorways, windows, balconies, etc. The Palacio del Ayuntamiento, [City Hall Palace] in the Main Plaza is a popular spot for placing Guatemalan flags in the hand rails of the second … Read more
During the first two weeks of September, you can find street vendors just like this one selling all kinds of Guatemalan flags. Guatemalans have many ways to display their patriotism, flags is one of them. The problem with the Guatemalan flag is that they come in all different shades of blue. There is even an … Read more
The Guatemalan antiriot police unit provided me with much needed images for my photographic bank. This in particular turned out to work very well in black and white. I might even put back a touch of blue color on the flags and police emblem. What do you think?
Well, who knows really. I know there’s legislation which describes to the T what a Guatemalan flag is supposed to look like, but like always in Guatemala, laws are beautiful abstract texts that live inside very dusty books. Reality dictates that the Guatemalan flag can be blue, any blue really, with or without the emblem or coat of arms.
I haven’t seen the film yet, but the title alone is hauntingly enough, for me, to make me want to see it. Live and become could be the short answer for those searching how to make a Guatemalan from a newly adopted baby. With that in mind, I leave you a short slide show and a video clip of the activities around the Guatemalan Independence Day.
I dedicate these photos, video and sounds to all my Guatemalan readers living abroad; may these vistas bring you home for a little while.
The Guatemala’s Independence Day is the 15th of September. Guatemalans have many ways to display their patriotism, flags is one of them. The problem with the Guatemalan flag is that they come in all different shades of blue. There is even an article in the Guatemalan Constitution that describes exactly what a flag should look … Read more
As I have explained in previous years, during the first two weeks of September, you can find street vendors selling all kinds of Guatemalan flags. Guatemalans have many ways to display their patriotism, flags is one of them. The problem with the Guatemalan flag is that they come in all different shades of blue. There … Read more
