Customs Festival of Puerto Guadal, rescuing the traditions of the gauchos of Patagonia
The radio plays in the background with music to the rhythm of Chamamé. Through the streets of Puerto Guadal, on the shores of Lake General Carrera, people dress in the traditional clothing of the Patagonian gauchos. Strong and skilled men on their horses, who dress in boots, shirt, pants and beret. Its women, always elegant, stand out for their feminine-cut beret and poncho. Chelenko, the stormy lake, is witness to how the Anniversary Festival was celebrated, which precedes the Customs Festival that is expected on February 24.
Photos: @anitaromero
Felipe Christensen, who is president of the neighborhood association, organized, together with the local community, one of the most important traditional festivals in Carretera Austral. "Officially, the anniversary of this town is celebrated on February 12, and that week is traditional due to ancient custom because it was the important date on which its inhabitants could have good animals, and have time after shearing in the field," he says. Christensen.
The mayor this 2024 organized the Guadal Festival for the weekend of February 24, with horseback riding and foreign artists on a large and well-presented stage. What has already been done was with own resources. In fact, a raffle was organized that has been financing all the activities. "This celebration is important for tourism, since visitors really like to see events such as horse riding, buy crafts, eat local products, among other things," Felipe Christensen told us.
The town's anniversary party unites the people of Guadal. Each one cares about contributing something, and recognition was given to the children of the pioneers. It is a party with a very local heart. A carnival in all its splendor. Guadal was founded in 1924, but its traditional celebration took place at least 20 years before it was recognized by the State of Chile.
The Pioneer Festival in Coyhaique
In the regional capital, the so-called Pioneer Week took place the week of February 12, which culminated with a parade until reaching the Livestock Expo site, which was inaugurated. This was also an instance in the region to highlight those who came to settle this very distant and remote area for the first time, with people being able to enjoy rural and traditional panoramas in the Plaza de Armas of Coyhaique.
Visitors were able to enjoy the cow milking activity, a craft beer workshop, and a display of sheep dogs. Meanwhile, on Saturday the 17th, there was a delicious roast lamb on a stick and wool workshops. There were also artistic shows by the group Atardecer Campero and Jaime with his Clan Patagón.
There are also other customs festivals in the Aysén region this month of February, highlighting the Pioneers Meeting (February 23 and 24), the Costumbrista Event Rescuing Traditions in Villa Cerro Castillo (February 24 and 25), and the Costumbrista Festival in Villa Amengual.
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