Guatemala’s Independence Torch Marathons is another manifestation of the celebration of the independence of Central America from Spain. This noise and peculiar marathons normally begin on the 13 of September, but the official day is the 14 since Guatemala’s Independence is celebrated on September 15. Through these marathons, the flame of independence is taking via … Read more
So, what kind activities are done in Guatemala to celebrate Independence Day? Most people in Guatemala often say that Guatemalans are not very “patriotic” and immediately mention how patriotic the Mexicans really are: “that’s really patriotism!” Having said that, you can begin to see the first glances of Independence Day activities back in July, or … Read more
On September 14 10, people from all over the country begin a marathon to go to another part of the country to get the fire for the Independence Torch in their communities. There are many places the have a torch where other people from other towns can light up their torch to bring back to … Read more
We continue our Independence Day celebrations coverage with this photograph of a couple little girls marching as part of a school parade, zig-zagging through the streets of Antigua Guatemala. So, as you can see we have marathons, parades, marching bands, musical recitals and flags, many flags as part of the activities to celebrate the Independence … Read more
Since last Saturday, September 10, the “Flame of Independence” was set out at the doorsteps of Palacio del Ayuntamiento of Antigua Guatemala. That’s the Muni for short or city hall building for those monolinguals. As in previous years, people run marathons, zig-zaging the entire country, to pick the flame of independence to bring back to … Read more
Have A Happy Independence Day everyone! Guatemala has one really strange celebration for the Independence Day festivities: Freedom Torches or Antorchas de Libertad. As I have explained in previous years, on September 14, people from all over the Guatemala begin marathons to go to another part of the country to get the flame for the … Read more
Torches, marathons and student marching bands parades are the main activities Guatemalans do for celebrating Independence Day. These activities usually begin manifesting on the first days of September, but around 10 or 11 is impossible not to notice them. Each activities has a reason and history as to how it became part of the Independence … Read more
The Liberty Torches Marathons Have Began. As in previous years, people from all over Guatemala begin a marathon to go to another part of the country to get the flame so they can bring back the Independence Torch back to their communities. There are many places the have a torch where other people from other … Read more
Most people in Guatemala often say that Guatemalans are not very “patriotic” and immediately mention how patriotic the Mexicans really are: “that’s really patriotism!” Heck I even heard an hour long radio show today discussing it.
School bands and parades were the norm to celebrate Independence Day before the December 29 signing of The Guatemalan Peace Accords of 1996, which put an end to Guatemala’s 36-year civil war since the CIA-orchestrated overthrow of the democratic reformist government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954 (read more…). School parades with their martial music bands … Read more
Getting everything ready for Independence Day Celebrations. This torch will light the Independence fire torches from all over Guatemala. These Independence torches will be carried in marathons so that Fire of Independence arrives to all the corners of Guatemala on time before September 15.
Today I break away a bit from the daily photo format because I am including a slide show of the photos I took yesterday below. Please, let me know what you think of it; I will be waiting for your comments. Tags: Antigua Daily Photo / Antigua / Guatemala / slideshow / Independence’s Torch / … Read more
As promised, today I bring a snapshot of the actual marathon. As you can see people, especially the young, seem to enjoy this marathon very much. On September 14th, Antigua is filled with people running in all different directions. Tomorrow, I will be posting another patriotic manifestation around Independence Day, stay tune. I wonder what … Read more
School bands and parades were the norm to celebrate Independence Day before the December 29 signing of The Guatemalan Peace Accords of 1996, which put an end to Guatemala’s 36-year civil war since the CIA-orchestrated overthrow of the democratic reformist government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954 (read more…). School parades with their martial music bands … Read more
Elsewhere in La Antigua Guatemala, there is all kinds of Independence activities, similar to what I showed you last year. Today and tomorrow will be filled with patriotic sounds coming from the many students school bands and their parades, as well as the many Independence marathons which carry the patriotic fire in their torches back to their communities and villages. I will try to get at least some different shots of the activities, if work allows it. In the meantime, you can get a feel for the festive and noisy atmosphere we live now in La Antigua Guatemala by checking the entries below.