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Valdivian Night

During a special evening, the Calle Calle River looks splendid, teeming with lights, flares, music and people coming from different locations who accompany the event wearing suitable outfits.

Valdivia's birthday is on February 9. The Valdivian Week starts some days later. No expense is spared for the city to look radiant, with a festive atmosphere and magnificent shows that summon many attendants. This celebration is closed on the Valdivian Night, when activities multiply and no one wants to go to sleep.

We took part in one of the issues of this festival and succeeded in proving that what we had always heard was actually true. The streets were crowded with people strolling up and down, as if relishing every moment. Concerts and regional handicraft stalls are put up on the waterfront, between Schuster Pier and the River Market.

Water crafts of different categories that make up the parade go along the Calle Calle River. All of them boast decorations made up by the locals, who enter a competition with different awards. A great display of their imagination, color and action flows down the river and creates a scene that is reflected upon the water surface, delighting everyone present.

Those who know the origin of these celebrations are aware of the fact that this is not exactly a joyful matter. It is said that during the sixteenth century, the local residents were not happy with the administration of Governor García de Mendoza. Many settlers were deprived of their land and, as a protest, they threw their boats into the river with lit straw bales. Such popular expression would be referred to as a “demonstration” today. As a result, the governor was removed from his position and the parade of watercrafts became a local custom. In the last few year, this commemoration gained unexpected glamour and became the longest awaited event in the region. The waterfront, in turn, represents a spacious and beautiful environment where the gala is displayed.

New resources are involved in every occasion for the renovation to be part of the glowing attractions. As soon as the fireworks start on the dark sky, everyone knows that memorable gathering will only be repeated after one year.

The Valdivian Night is the perfect finale of a series of cultural, artistic and popular actions and at the same time it represents the end of the summer in a city that has everything.

Contact

Municipalidad de Valdivia

Independencia 455, (5090000) , Valdivia, XIV Región de los Ríos
Tel: +56 63-2212151

See also: Hotels in Valdivia and other accommodation venues