Holy Week is a holiday deeply rooted in numerous cultures around the world, as it brings with it a period of intense reflection and veneration in the Christian tradition. In the case of Peru, it also marks a season of rest from daily activities thanks to the long holiday that lasts several days and is highly anticipated by working sectors.
However, not all countries are involved in the ceremonies and traditions that characterize this season of the liturgical calendar. In fact, there are certain corners of the planet where Holy Week goes unnoticed or is not celebrated at all due to factors such as religious variety, cultural differences, the separation between church and state, among others.
These nations, far from the usual rituals of this time, have a different outlook. To review a striking case, it is not necessary to go too far from the country, since, contrary to what is believed, one of the nations that has said no to this religious festival is located in Latin America.
What country in Latin America does not celebrate Holy Week?
This country is located exactly on this side of the continent, South America, and borders Argentina and the Atlantic Ocean. This is Uruguay, a place that ruled out Holy Week from its calendar for more than a hundred years.
In this place, Holy Week is officially called ‘Tourism Week’. This approach was adopted in 1919, as part of the secular state’s policies to separate religious celebration from the country’s official holidays. The intention was to disassociate public festivities from any specific religious connotation, reflecting the principle of secularism that drives the religious neutrality of the State.
Instead of focusing on the religious aspects of Holy Week, Uruguay promotes domestic tourism during these dates, encouraging its citizens to explore different regions of the country, enjoy its natural and cultural diversity, and promote local economic development.
It should be noted that the celebration as such does represent a moment of rest and integration, as occurs in countries that commemorate the life of Jesus. On the other hand, some regions of Uruguay have linked the dates to names such as ‘Semana Criolla’, which takes place in Montevideo, where one of the main attractions are the riders who take to the ring riding wild horses. The ‘Beer Week’ in Paysandú also stands out.
Despite this, it is important to mention that the liturgical practices of this season are not prohibited or limited. Thus, citizens who wish to hold celebrations during Holy Week have the freedom to do so in churches and religious communities that practice their ceremonies and activities without restrictions.
In which other countries is Easter not celebrated?
The important Christian celebration is not officially celebrated in countries where Christianity is not the predominant religion or in those that maintain a strict separation between state institutions and religious practices.
Thus, places like Morocco, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey do not commemorate the life, passion and death of Jesus since the population is almost entirely Muslim. Holidays and festivals here are usually linked to the Islamic religion, such as Ramadan and Eid.
In places like India and Nepal, Holy Week is not celebrated either since Hinduism predominates. Another example is countries where Buddhism is the most practiced religion, such as Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. The celebrations in these areas of the world are linked to the Vesak or Buddha’s birthday.
It is important to clarify that there are countries where there is religious diversity, but Easter is still not an official holiday, as is the case in Russia or China.
Why do citizens of Latin American countries celebrate Holy Week?
It is known that Peru is not the only country that commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. But why is it that many Latin American countries have followed this tradition since time immemorial? To answer this question it is important to review history.
During the 16th century, religious orders and bishops arrived in Latin America. Among these were the Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians and Jesuits, who arrived in the New World with the main purpose of evangelizing the natives of different cultures. This effort sought to integrate the Catholic faith within the Spanish colonial project, considering religious conversion as essential for the consolidation of the territorial conquest.
Therefore, the reason why the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is commemorated in this part of the world has its roots in the evangelization carried out by Spanish missionaries since the 16th century.
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