The , or

Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...

vian National Holidays, are celebrations of Peru's independence from the

Spanish Empire The Spanish Empire, sometimes referred to as the Hispanic Monarchy (political entity), Hispanic Monarchy or the Catholic Monarchy, was a colonial empire that existed between 1492 and 1976. In conjunction with the Portuguese Empire, it ushered ...

. They officially consist of two days: *28 July, in commemoration of Peru's Independence won by

José de San Martín José Francisco de San Martín y Matorras (; 25 February 177817 August 1850), nicknamed "the Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru", was an Argentine general and the primary leader of the southern and central parts of South America's succe ...

. *29 July, in honor of the

Armed Forces A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a ...

and the National Police of Peru. The celebration of in

coincides with the vacation periods for the local schools as well as some businesses. The first celebration starts on 25 July, on St. James’ Day in Arequipa with the Feast of St. James. Along with

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...

, Fiestas Patrias is one of the most important celebrations of the year for Peruvians and it is normal for local businesses to generate as much revenue as in the month of December. Tourism tends to increase during these holidays with visitors coming to join in the celebrations.

28 July

28 July in each year commemorates the day that Peru gained its independence. General

, known as Peru's liberator, proclaimed Peru's independence on this date. At dawn on 28 July a 21 cannon salute begins flag-raising ceremonies as Peru remembers the anniversary of its independence.

Use of the flag

During the whole month of July, homes, office buildings, public and private institutions, schools, and restaurants display the

national flag A national flag is a flag that represents and national symbol, symbolizes a given nation. It is Fly (flag), flown by the government of that nation, but can also be flown by its citizens. A national flag is typically designed with specific meanin ...

. It is obligatory and it is rare to see any of these places without a flag.

Regarding the President

The

President of Peru The president of Peru (), officially the constitutional president of the Republic of Peru (), is the head of state and head of government of Peru. The president is the head of the executive branch and is the supreme head of the Peruvian Armed ...

fulfills one of his major obligations during these days. In his capacity as

Head of State A head of state is the public persona of a sovereign state.#Foakes, Foakes, pp. 110–11 "

he head of state He or HE may refer to: Language * He (letter), the fifth letter of the Semitic abjads * He (pronoun), a pronoun in Modern English * He (kana), one of the Japanese kana (へ in hiragana and ヘ in katakana) * Ge (Cyrillic), a Cyrillic letter cal ...

being an embodiment of the State itself or representative of its international persona." The name given to the office of head of sta ...

he must, on July 28 of each year, give an accounting of the nation's progress up to this date. This Peruvian custom was established by

''Te Deum'' Mass

On the morning of 28 July the

Archbishop of Lima The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima () is part of the Catholic Church in Peru which enjoys full communion with the Holy See. The Archdiocese was founded as the ''Diocese of Lima'' on 14 May 1541. The diocese was raised to the level of a metr ...

celebrates the

Mass Mass is an Intrinsic and extrinsic properties, intrinsic property of a physical body, body. It was traditionally believed to be related to the physical quantity, quantity of matter in a body, until the discovery of the atom and particle physi ...

of the ''

Te Deum The ( or , ; from its incipit, ) is a Latin Christian hymn traditionally ascribed to a date before AD 500, but perhaps with antecedents that place it much earlier. It is central to the Ambrosian hymnal, which spread throughout the Latin ...

'' as mandated by the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

. Originally, the Mass was celebrated on 29 July but was later changed to its present date. The President, other government officials, and ranking dignitaries attend the service. The Mass officially begins at 9:00 A.M.

Invitation of the President of the Republic

On the morning of 28 July representatives of the Congress of the Republic of Peru go to the Government Palace to invite the

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

to give the traditional Address to the Nation. The delegation of the Peruvian Legislature can be led by any congressman or by the President of the Congress.

Route to the Congress

Once he has been invited, the President leaves by car headed toward the seat of Congress or, rarely, on foot. The nation's leader will sometimes choose to travel in a closed limousine or in a car with an open roof. It is common on this route for the President's supporter's to accompany him throwing flowers and shouting praises. During the presidency of Alan García Pérez the trip was always made in an open car. Once he arrives at the seat of the legislature he enters through the Hall of the Lost Footsteps where the Commander in Chief of the military detachment pays his respects to his high position. The President then enters the main room where he finds the general assembly.

Address to the Nation

Following the introductions, the President begins with his Address to the Nation for the National Holidays giving his accounting of the developments of the state during the year. The President discusses developments in projects economical, social, and cultural achievements as well as others. However, it is not uncommon for these accomplishments to be exaggerated.

Return to the Government Palace

Once finished with his address the President returns to Government Palace (commonly referred to as the House of Pizarro) to continue with other official ceremonies.

29 July

On 29 July, most celebrations are carried out in the morning although the formal celebrations are in the afternoon.

The Great Military Parade

In this ceremony the Peruvian Armed Forces and National Police participate in a grand procession. Decorations are placed throughout the main streets with patriotic colors. During the ceremony representatives of the three branches as well as the National Police as well as other invitees for a parade. Every military institution is represented. During this ceremony almost all of Peru's weaponry is on display although the most key pieces are not shown as a matter of Defense policy. The military staff on display is minimal.

Oath of the President (if newly elected)

If a new President has been elected it is the day of 28 July on which he assumes his duties. It is also his first Address to the Nation.

References

{{reflist Public holidays in Peru

July observances Annual events in Peru