National Holidays of Peru

The Patriotic festivities for the independence of the Republic of Peru—simply called Fiestas Patrias de Perú— are the annual national celebrations that take place throughout the territory of Peru to commemorate the Peruvian emancipation from the Spanish Empire and the beginning of the formation of the South American country as a sovereign State.

The National Holidays are equivalent to the national day of other countries and Peru is, along with Chile, one of the two nations that officially use this term to celebrate independence day.

Description

These celebrations officially consist of three days:

• On 28 July, in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence in the Plaza Mayor of Lima by the Libertador José de San Martín (the Act of Independence of Peru was signed on 15 July 1821).
• On 29 July, the Grand Military Stop in honour of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Peru and the National Police of Peru.
• On 30 July, the Thanksgiving ceremony for Peru with the presence of the President of the Republic and the highest authorities.

It should be noted that, during the 19th century, the most important commemorative dates were July 28 (Declaration of the Independence), December 9 (Battle of Ayacucho) and the date of the change of presidential command.

The National Holidays of Peru coincide with the week of vacation that schools and some institutions have. They are, along with Christmas and Holy Week, the biggest and main celebration of the year for Peruvians, and it is usual that during During these festivities, businesses generate as much profit as in December.

Internal and external tourism grows especially during these holidays since with the holidays, people usually visit various tourist areas of Peru and be part of these celebrations.

Use of the flag

Although it is not mandatory, throughout the month of July many houses, establishments, public and private institutions, schools and restaurants, among others, use a flag.

The use of the national flag is only mandatory from July 27 to 30 in all private buildings between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., according to law 15253. People who do not comply with this rule must pay a fine between 54 and 1800 nuevos soles.

July 28

Every July 28, the day on which San Martín proclaimed the Independence of Peru is commemorated. The dawn of the 28th is greeted with a salute of twenty-one cannon shots, as a preamble to the flag-raising ceremony.

President of the Republic

In his capacity as head of State, the president of the Republic of Peru carries out the official acts for the Anniversary of National Independence, such as the Mass and Te Deum, the Solemn Session of Congress, where he gives the Message to the Nation, the Greeting to the President and the Military Parade and Parade.

Ecumenical Mass and Te Deum

At 08:00 on July 28, the archbishop of Lima officially celebrates the mass and the Te Deum, a hymn of gratitude to God, as mandated by the Catholic Church. The most important personalities attend the mass along with the president of the Republic.

Invitation to Congress

On the morning of July 28, representatives of the Congress of the Republic of Peru go to the Government Palace to invite the president to deliver the traditional Message to the Nation in Congress. The delegation of the Peruvian Legislative Branch It can be headed by any congressman designated for the case or by the president of Congress himself.

Tour to Congress

Once he has been invited, the president leaves for the headquarters of the Congress of the Republic by vehicle and very rarely does so on foot. The president can choose to go in a closed limousine or in a car with an open roof, accompanied by the former contingent of the "Glorioso Húsares de Junín" Cavalry Regiment No. 1 - Liberator of Peru, the president's guard, currently the presidential escort as of 2012 is the “Mariscal Domingo Nieto Dragon Guards” Cavalry Regiment, dressed in full dress and with their sabers, traditional lances and FAL rifles.

The tour takes place through the first five blocks of the traditional Junín jirón to the Legislative Palace of Peru. It is usual that on this tour, the president's supporters accompany him during the journey, throw him flowers and greet him warmly. During the government of Alejandro Toledo, the journey was almost always made by open car. Once you arrive at the headquarters of the Legislative Assembly, you enter the Palace through the Hall of the Lost Steps, where the president of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru honors his high investiture; then enter the main room or session room, where the plenary session is located.

Message to the Nation

After the honors, the president begins with his Message to the Nation for National Holidays, in which he reports to the State for everything done during the year. The president comments on cultural, economic, social and other achievements. It should be noted that if a new president has been elected, on July 28 he assumes his duties and also gives his first speech to the country as the new supreme ruler.

After the message, the guests are transferred to the Miguel Grau room of the Legislative Palace, where the waiters of the Maury Hotel offer the liberators' punch.

Return to the Government Palace

Once he has finished his message, the president returns to the Government Palace of Peru walking alongside the first lady, the vice presidents and members of his Ministerial Cabinet and then continues with more official ceremonies.

July 29

On July 29, the celebrations are mostly held in the morning, although the actual celebrations are held in the afternoon.

Great Military Parade

It takes place on Avenida Brasil, and the Armed and Police Forces of Peru participate in this ceremony. Along the avenues, boxes with red and white awnings are installed, alluding to the national colors.

During the ceremony, representatives of the three branches and the National Police parade, along with the guests. Each military institution is accompanied by its respective band. Likewise, some of Peru's war material is shown, although the most specialized weapons are not shown as a defense policy. The personnel deployed is minimal and security is extreme.

July 30

Thanksgiving Ceremony for Peru

Through supreme decree 079-2010-PCM, issued during the government of Alan García, it was decided to include, among the official activities of the President of the Republic for National Holidays, his attendance at the Thanksgiving Ceremony for Peru every July 30, giving official character to this ceremony that had been taking place since 2006.

Former President Alan García attended this ceremony during all the years of his mandate, while former President Ollanta Humala only did so in 2015. In 2016, the year of the beginning of his mandate as President of the Republic, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, along with several of his ministers, attended this ceremony. Their attendance was repeated in 2017, although then the ceremony was held on July 29 in accordance with supreme decree 069-2017-PCM.