Dominican Republic Holidays – Only The Most Festive
Among the best ways to savor the Caribbean is to visit the Dominican Republic at a time when one of its most festive holidays. Although celebrations, street parties and performances are held year round, there are particular festivities that individuals like most of all. Among them are following:
The Carnaval
On top of the serene seashores and the beautiful Dominican people, the most fashionable images of the Republic are composed mainly of the Mardi Gras-like festival called the Carnival.
The Carnaval is a calendar month-long celebration that falls in February. It culminates on the last week of the month, ordinarily on the 26th or 27th and is took part by over a hundred thousand people, local and holidaymakers alike, in a good many towns nationwide. It is one of those vacations that are waited with so much anticipation as it offers not only the festivities characteristic of the Dominicans, but also a wide array of experiences that are meant to electrify the people who are taking part.
The Carnaval has a long history of celebration. The first Carnaval occurred in 1520 in La Vega where the most spirited celebrations are held today. Other provinces, on the other hand, hold their own versions of the Carnaval. Santiago, for instance, celebrates it twice in a year - one in February, another in August. In Puerto Plata, the celebrations showcase the culmination of the all the cultures located in the Dominican Republic - from African influences to European elements.
What is Carnaval without the traditional characters? Carnavals are known for producing certain characters that are nearly medieval in features. La Vega owns the most recognizable characters in the complete country - the ‘Diablo Cojuelo’ or the Limping Dragon.
The Festival del Santo Cristo de Bayaguana
With a tradition that began with the offering of a bull to the Santo Cristo for rainfall in 1604, the Festival del Santo Cristo de Bayaguana has come a long way in the Dominican Republic’s culture. In the years pursuing the first bull offering, miracles have happened that have been closely linked with the festival. Among them is the apparition of Jesus Christ to an adolescent girl. This was said to have caused the girl’s mother’s vision to return.
Presently, although the festival remains pagan in features, it is mostly dedicated for the Catholic Church. The proceeds of the festivals are commonly used in Church programs in the province.
The Festival del Santo Cristo de Bayaguana is a mixture of solemn celebrations and the Dominicans’ unique way of honoring festivities. Prayers and hymns go alongside dancing, singing, and of course, feasting.
Merengue Festival
The Dominicans take pride in their traditional musical instruments. This is why each year, from the third week of July into the first of August, they celebrate a musical festival known as the Meringue Festival
Meringue acts, musicians and performers everywhere around the world get-together in the province of Santo Domingo to showcase the true Dominican music annually.
If you are hoping to truly enjoy the Dominican Republic holidays, go to the country on the days when its festivities are at their peak.
Keith has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in travel you can also check out his latest video on Hotels In Galway. Information is not hard to find for Cheap Hotels In Ireland if you look hard enough. Keith’s video has lots of information on Castle Hotels In Ireland and is available for any questions you may have.
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