Celebrating December Festivals in Guatemala

6 - 15 December 2018

  
And those would be: 

Burning the Devil - December 7

Immaculate Conception - December 8

Feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
December 12

Before we witness and enjoy these celebrations.. 
we will learn a bit about them :

The history behind the annual burning of the devil, a
cleansing ceremony to usher out all old and evil from the previous year to make way for the new the following day - 
the feast of the Immaculate Conception - traditionally starting the Christmas season for Guatemalans.  

Parents bring their children to be blessed by the virgin and ask her to  protect for them for the following year.

Maybe that is why there are so 
many children in the 
parades on December 8!


Then we will travel to 
Chichicastenango for December 12, 
the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

She is the patron saint for a small village near 
Chichi called Chuabaj. 




I've not yet been there, but any small village on it's patron saint day is a festival not to be missed !!! 

While in Chichi, we will meet with a Juana, a master weaver, art gallery owner and Maya spiritual guide.  

We will learn about the Mayan calendar and our 
individual nahuales - our Mayan spirit, or energy or sacred element that accompanies us in life.

Juana will also talk about the intermingling of Catholic saints and Mayan spiritual traditions (which we'll see in Chuabaj).  



Of course we can't miss the lake, 
so we'll spend time at our favorite - 

This is not a photography workshop per se. 
However, there will be plenty of opportunities to 
make some fabulous images.

** For a copy of our day to day itinerary 
or to learn more about  our
great learning and cultural experiences, 
email Liza at  fourre@artguat.org 
or skype (lizafourre) or call  612 825 0747. 

** Total package price, including lodging in a lovely colonial style hotels, a hearty breakfast each morning, ground transportation and some pretty interesting cultural experiences 
is a very reasonable $2,245.00.

 ** If you'd like to join us, 
just send in a $500 deposit with the 
 registration form on our web page.

Hope to see you in Guatemala !!   Liza 
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