Inti Ramy in Cuzco

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"Every year on the 24th of June, Cusco celebrates the festival of Inti Raymi. This festival was celebrated by the Incas as the Festival of the Sun where the God of the Sun Wiracocha is honored. The Inti Raymi symbolizes the eternal consecration of marriage between the Sun and his sons, the human beings.
Inti Raymi was the most important festival of the Inca empire Tawantinsuyu which based its religion on the cult of the Sun. On the 24th of June they celebrate the winter solstice, in other words the beginning of the Sun's New Year. "

"Scientifically the solstice begins on the 21st of June, but according to the Pacha Unachaq, a sundial used by the Incas, the sun stays some days in the same place before rising on the 24th of June. This day was proclaimed by the high priest as the New Year: Inti Raymi! The inhabitants of Cusco traditionally involve about everybody, including tourists, to enjoy and marvel this most special day. Countless additional events are to be seen before, during and after the 24th. These are expositions, street and square activities in daytime and in the evening live concerts given by the very best of Peru's diverse musical talents, staged in the Plaza the Armas. This is the second biggest festival in Latin America, after the carnival of Rio."
source: http://www.quechuanetwork.org/inti_raymi.cfm?lang=e

And we were the lucky ones who attended it the whole week. It was great, with parades and processions in amazing colors and costumes. Music all day long and at different places spectacles and street theatre. Thousands of people were there to celebrate and the atmosphere was peacefull and relaxed! We arrived in Cuzco a couple of days before the Inti Raymi itselfs and spend the whole week in the city.
It was amazing to see how many people can celebrate and I have to admit that Latin American people knows how to celebrate!

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Photos

one of the participants of the parade in the streets of Cuzco
this parade started on friday morning and there were still groups walking through the streets in the afternoon. Thousands of people, from different organisations and schools were participating in this parade...