Culture Bolivia

Bolivia : Discover the country's culture

Guides

The Lonely Planet Guide to Bolivia

Music

Chavarria - Fiesta Criolla (Bolivie 1718). Gabriel Garrido.
Alvis Florindo.

Bolivia : Discover the country's history

Historical dates

900 to 1200: Tiahuanaco civilisations.
1555: Charles the Fifth declared Potosi an imperial city.
1781: Indian revolt.
1825: Creation of the Republic of Bolivia.
1879 - 1883: Pacific War.
1901: Acre War with Brazil.
1951: Peasant and Workers' Revolution.
1967: Death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara.
1989: Election of President Jaime Paz Zamora.
August 2001: President Hugo Banzer, afflicted with cancer, resigned. Vice-President Jorge Quiroga, 41, succeeded him for a year.
August 2002: the liberal Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, 72, was elected President by Congress.
17 October 2003: Flight of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada to the USA following an uprising. Carlos Mesa (Vice President) took over the Presidency. 
06 March 2005: Resignation of President Carlos Mesa
09 March 2005: his resignation was unanimously rejected by the members of Congress. Carlos Mesa therefore remained President.
December 2005: Evo Morales, the left-wing Indian leader, was elected President of the country.

Bolivia : Stay up to date on the country's holidays and events

Events

1 January: New Year's Day

24 January: La Paz - Alasitas festival

February: Potosi - The Miners' Carnival

2 February: Copacabana, Aiquile, Samaipata: Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria - pilgrimages, masses, folklore festivities

10-11 February: Oruro - Carnival in honour of the Virgin of Socavon

10 February: Culture and tourism festivals - public holiday and art exhibitions across the country

February-March: Oruro, Tarija, Santa Cruz, Vallegrande - Carnaval - dancing, disguises and beauty queens

19 March: San Ignacio - feast of St. Joseph

21 March: Spring feast

March-April: Easter

24 June: Feast of St. Jean - dances and fireworks

29 June: Lac Titicaca - Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

25 July: La Paz-Laja - Feast of St. James - traditional dances

Beginning of August: La Paz - University Carnival - dance and music performed by students through the streets

1 August: Feast of La Pachamama - celebration of 'mother earth'

5 August: Copacabana - Feast of the Virgin - dances and religious ceremonies