Ecuador Bolivar Birthday
Equador Bolivar Birthday Date:
July 24, 2010
Bolivar Birthday is a public holiday in Ecuador.
Simón Bolívar (better known as The Liberator or El Libertador) was one of Spanish America’s foremost independence leaders.
Born on July 24th 1783, he led several battles against the Spanish monarchy, which were successful in winning independence for the present-day countries of Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.
Bolívar is regarded as a National Hero in these Countries.
Ecuador celebrates the birth anniversary of its national hero every year. July 24th in Ecuador is a public holiday and is locally known as El Natalicio de Simón Bolívar. Banks, offices, shops and other services are closed.
Ecuador Bolivar Birthday Traditions and Activities
This day is celebrated in Ecuador through food, music, and costume. There are military parades, as well as parades by children in schools. Sights of colourful parades by civilians in national costume, accompanied by music played by loud brass bands and much dancing can be seen throughout the country’s streets.
Other events such as flag hoisting are common- the Ecuadorian flag flies high in every building- even in homes in rural areas. One can see proof of Bolívar’s importance in Ecuador throughout the country as many streets and schools bear his name.
Besides, there are busts and statues of Bolívar in many places.
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and one of the highest major cities in the world. It sprawls for miles along the north-south valley called the Avenue of the Volcanoes, although it requires a nice clear day to see many of the namesake mountains. While it has a seemingly infinite number of neighborhoods, most visitors spend their time in the area between the airport and the panecillo. This picture is of the Mariscal area which is home to a sprawling mass of banks, restaurants, hotels and travel agencies. The Mariscal is a great place to just show up with no idea what you want to do and start window shopping the vast number of travel agencies. Almost all of them cover at least the Galapagos, something in the Amazon, and a few assorted types of adventure travel. Surprisingly, the Mariscal (known colloquially as Gringolandia) is relatively hassle-free.
