Festivals and cultural events Ecuador

It is on December 6th that Quito celebrates its foundation in 1534, by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar (or Belalcázar). At the time, the Inca Empire was in the grip of a cruel power struggle between Atahualpa and his brother Huascar. The first defended his hegemony from Quito while the second was based in Cuzco (in present-day Peru). Huascar, humiliated in battle, accepted death and Atahualpa, victorious, agreed to meet with the Spaniards who murdered him. Benalcazar who arrived from the south in search of Atahualpa's treasure took over the city.

Commemoration of the birth of the so-called Libertador (born in 1783in Caracas, Venezuela, and died on 17 December 1830 in Santa Marta, Colombia). Anti-imperialist and nationalist, he is an emblematic figure of the emancipation of the Spanish colonies in South America and participated in the independence of Ecuador. The commemoration of his birth gives rise to various festivities throughout the country. It is a national holiday, accompanied by military and school parades, especially in Guayaquil, which celebrates its foundation the next day.

The first edition was held in 2016. On the occasion of the Festival of Light, the city is transformed for a few days at night. The most famous buildings of the capital are adorned with colors and lights (there were about twenty installations in 2018). A sublime show to which the city of Lyon has brought all its expertise through an international partnership. It is a very beautiful show that tends to become part of the annual celebrations, especially since it takes place at the same time as Independence Day.