Sunday, November 18, 2007

Chinita's Day!

Today is Chinita's day! What a Day! Let's celebrate our lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira and visit her at her house La Basilica. Let's adore her and ask her to protect us and look after us.

November 18th is a very important day in our state. Today there will be many activities all around the state and specially here in Maracaibo. People will remember and rejoice in Chinita's honor.

Reading on wikipedia, we can find her story:

An old lady made a living by washing other people's clothes, a job she did every morning at the shores of the lake. On November 18th 1709 she took a bulk of clothes, and as usual, went to the lake to start washing them. This old lady was at her chores when she saw a wooden board floating towards her. She picked it up thinking that it might be of some use. When she finished her work, she went home carrying the clothes, the board and a small vase with fresh water. She then placed the board on top of the vase. Then, she noticed a small figure in the board but couldn't tell what it was.She fell asleep, and when she áwoke up it was already late and dark. She decided to go to a local grocery store to buy some candles. On her way back a small gathering of people had formed outside her house, and after coming closer she noted that her home was filled with light. After entering she and some of the neighbors witnessed the small wooden board floating in the air surrounded by light with a bright crisp image of the Virgin Mary. At this, everyone was amazed and called the event a miracle.

Since that day the street where she lived was renamed "El Milagro" which means Miracle in Spanish, and to this day it is one of the most important streets in the neighborhood of "El Saladillo" in the city of Maracaibo. To this day the wood with the image on it can still be seen in the Basilica in Maracaibo.Legend has it that the government decided that the wood with the image belonged in the capital city, Caracas. So they ordered it moved. As the soldiers following the order carried the image away from Maracaibo it got heavier and heavier until finally no one could lift it. They returned it to the basilica in Maracaibo where it has remained with the belief that no one can remove it.

The people of Maracaibo celebrate the Festival of La Chinita in November with an all night party. One of the main city streets, Bella Vista, is closed for several blocks and the city puts lights along the whole street. The lights stay up for months, until after Christmas. There are stages set up, sponsored by the government and businesses around the city. There are firework shows and street vendors, and hundreds of thousands of people line the streets and celebrate all night.

"Our Lady of Rosario of Chiquinquirá." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 2007. Answers.com 18 Nov. 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/our-lady-of-rosario-of-chiquinquir

Also, one important part of the celebration is selecting a beauty queen for the fair. Here you can see the candidates of this year. This year's winner was Leilany Nava.

Of course, sports are present in the celebration. There is one important game today. EL juego de Baseball de la Chinita. Last year we won... let's pray our lady to help us today... Chinita hacenos el milagrito de que ganen las Aguilas otra vez..... God bless our Chinita and our baseball team Aguilas del Zulia. Go team!!!!

Another big thing in the Feria is the bull fight (La Corrida de Toros)... I personally don't like it but a lot of people like going to the bullfight ring and yell "Ole". This is a tradition that comes from Spain and in my opinion it is horrible... I'm against torture and violence. But that's just me.

Now, what's your opinion about our fair? Did you enjoy our fair this year? Tell us what you did to enferiarte? Where did you go? how was it? What did you like the most? What you didn't like... if there's something you didn't like...

Looking forward to reading all the stories from this year celebration.

And Chinita....... Gloria a ti casta Señora! Happy Day!

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed working on this posting in honor to my chinita!

37 comments:

johann said...

well the chinitas day is so important because we celebrate an important day with a fair, in this fair people use to drink a lot and go out with friends...

johann said...

well people use to drink a lot in that day, we celebrate a lot in this fair, i enjoyed the weekend a lot! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, for me that fair is very important in Maracaibo because people celebrate our queen’s day… Chiquinquira called “Patrona de Maracaibo”, people go to visit her in the Basilica.

Maria Angelina
Section:D4A2

Kissy Alejandra said...

Hello, I really didn’t like the fair this year, I personally think it isn’t what it used to be. I remember my parents and I used to go around the city; to see Bella Vista Avenue and there were gaita groups all over the city playing gaitas, I enjoyed very much those days. But now unfortunately you can’t find many gaita groups playing on the streets, instead you find vallenatos group every where you go and please don’t miss understand me I don’t mind vallenatos group to come and play because there are people whom enjoy that music a lot but I feel we are changing our own tradition or even worse we are losing them. So I would like to see more gaita group in the future in our fair. Ok I think there are too many things to talk about this fair and I’ll do it later on...bye

Anonymous said...

The day of the “Virgen de la Chinita” it’s very important, because it is a day of celebration for all the zulianos and devotes of the Virgin of all the world.

Yesterday, I read in the “Pitoquito” and in the “Panorama” an article about “The Chinita”. It was very important and very informative.

This year, we participated in “Bajada de la Chinita”. “Encendido de Luces de la Avenida Bella Vista”, “Encendido del Arbolito BOD”, “Amanecer de Feria” and we went to the “Basílica” it was very beautiful.

What I didn’t like of the “Feria de la Chinita” is that many accidents happened.

Carolina Molero Layeth D4A2

Anonymous said...

The fair of the Chinita is very important for all the zulianos, the 18 of November all Zulia pays tribute to their saint patroness. What I like of the fair is the lights of Bella Vista Avenue.

Jessica Teran - D4A2

Unknown said...

The fairs are a big activity in my state, but all people celebrate with La bajada de chinita. In this festivity there are many events, for example you can see and listen to gaitas group, vallenatos, salsas, merengue and others music genres. Also this fairs are famous for the bullfights, the baseball game in honor of our virgin. In my opinion the most important event is the singing of serenades and gaitas at night and on Sunday morning. It’s the moments most moving moment in all fairs! I think Amanecer gaitero is the best!.

ana maria said...

The day of chinita is a day full of joy for marabinos as it is a time where it is demonstrated devotion to the zulian faith; we share with our loved ones in the basilica and pray rosaries and make pledges to our worshiped virgin. Many people come from other states to go before our virgin and make requests. On November there are many activities as:
on the 17th we celebrate the amanecer zuliano; the next day we all go to the baseball game and to toros coleados that take place before the procession. In the Bella vista avenue, you can see millions of lights that are the delight of everyone.


THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER IS THE CALL FOR CHRISTMAS TO SHARE IN FAMILY

Anonymous said...

I think, celebrating our lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira festivity is interesting. This year I went to the basilica, The people of Maracaibo celebrate the Festival of La Chinita in November with an all night party, hundreds of thousands of people line the streets and celebrate all night. It was good because is a party and I went with my family

With enthusiasm sparked people, the lights that adorn today Bella Vista Avenue. This opened the Christmas and the Fair in our State

by: Jose Segovia
D4A2

jessi said...

November 18th is celebrates the bajada of the virgin of the chiquinquira
Maracaibo and people prepare to celebrate with a big party for the zulian patroness.

Most of the zulianos go to the basilica to await the bajada of our patron and to adorate her for her miracles.

This is a big party, where zulianos celebrate bullfights, go to the baseball games and also to toros coleados which is a tradition where people both from Maracaibo as from other cities visit to celebrate this great feast.

Another tradition at the fair is that Bella Vista Avenue is decorated with lights and Christmas decorations. This makes our city more beautiful.

ZAIRENE said...

The 18th of November is an important date for my state. It is the day of the virgin of the chiquinquira, patroness of this state. This day a series of activities like the bajada of the virgin, bullfights and the game of baseball in honor to the virgin are made.

joram said...

Well teacher, believe it or not, I don’t believe in this celebration much. I tolerate it, though. I’m not the person to judge the things done in this day.

I don’t adore Chinita. I only admit that Maria is the mother of Jesus. One thing I can say is that in these days, everything goes into chaos; I am not one of those who like these kinds of things. Of course, if you invite me to go out, I will go. I only accept because I don’t want to seem rude. I’m a Christian and I don’t adore the virgin.

Eliana Matheus said...

I’m not catholic. I’m Wicca and the fair is not really important to me but I think is a really beautiful day for all the people in Maracaibo it because is a day to celebrate in family and with friends and is the beginning of Christmas. I really love to see all the streets clean beautiful and decorated whit lights; I love baseball too but is so sad because “las aguilas” lost every game on chinitas day

A. Corona said...

I really think that the fair is only an excuse for maracuchos to get drunk and party, I don’t believe in “the Chinita” but I really respect the people who really believe in her. But I can’t stand people saying they are celebrating chinita’s day and they never remember her. They only think in drinking bear and going to parties.

Usually I spend the Chinita’s day with my friends and family and we go to eat or something like that but this year, a Father’s Friend died and I went to the funeral.

kelly said...

Hello... for me Chinita´s fair is an important celebration in honor of the Chiquinquira´s virgin. I was born in Monagas State and there, people don’t know that many people from Maracaibo love that days and this fair. I went to the concerts in her honor, and it was spectacular. Christmas lights in Bella Vista Avenue are beautiful and the people usually in changes very much these days and they are happier.

Jose Garcia said...

Well, Chinita's day is very important in Zulia State. We celebrate with gaitas, parties, and tributes to La Patrona. Basically, this day begins Christmas in the city... God bless our Chinita and all Venezuelans.

José Antonio García
13773817
S511

Anonymous said...

November 18th is the day of the Chinita. All Maracuchos go to the basilica to request favors from our virgin. Everybody is welcome to Maracaibo ......! :)

Anonymous said...

Gustavo Ocando
S511

November 18th is a very important day in Zulia. It is Chinita’s day. People of Maracaibo celebrate the Festival of La Chinita in November with an all night party, and people go to the stadium of baseball to see the game of the Aguilas or go to the soccer field to see the game of the Union Atletico Maracaibo.
It is an annual tradition and one of the most important of the year.

Anonymous said...

The chinita´s fair was good…. A lot of drinking and partying =D… the chinita´s baseball game was better because ¨Magallanes¨ won yeeeeeah!!!…. I have two years in Maracaibo and I like the chinita´s fair …. This time I spent it with my friends and enjoyed the long weekend… well, people I don’t remember much about those days!!! But I know it is a crazy festivity!!

Chopper said...

The story of the patron saint of zulianos, Our Lady of Chiquinquira, also known as "La Chinita," began on the shores of Lake Maracaibo, the site where hundreds of women gathered to wash their clothes and his family. There, an old woman found a tablita who decided to use as cover a vase

The celebrations of the day 17 start with a bullfight, followed by Dawn Gaita, feast where touch throughout the night, groups of bagpipes and other dance music until dawn.

After sunrise, which follows a typical breakfast usually includes pastries, pies, mandocas and yoyos giving the energy needed to continue the party at the stadium Luis Aparicio "where there is a game of baseball.

Anonymous said...

Maria Virginia Urdaneta
Seccion :s 511


November 18th is a very important day in our state. On November 18th 1709 an old lady took a bulk of clothes and went to the lake to wash her clothes. This old lady was at her chores when she saw a wooden board floating towards her. She picked it up and took it home.

When she got home, she put the board on a base. She went out and when she came back, people were in front of her house saying it’s a miracle! The board had an image on it. It was brilliant and beautiful.

Since that day Chinita is our patroness.

The fair is how Maracuchos celebrate. I like it because I always share with my family and my friends.

Anonymous said...

Chinita´s Fair was fabulous because as every year there was a parade of very good singers and bands, the bullfights, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, the Amanecer "gaitero", I correct…Vallenatero, because there was an endless of Vallenatos during the fair. For me, the best thing was La Orquídea, despite the heat and too much Vallenato, I had a great time listening to and dancing with Tito El Bambino, "I will not forget his wonderful show, but now I like him a lot, I LOVE him!!!!

Anonymous said...

Mayen Martínez S511

The Chinita’s day is very important for devoted people in Maracaibo, but for me it’s not important, because I am not a devoted to anything in special. I believe in God only.

On Chinita’s day, I stay in my house with my family, because we celebrate my uncle Zenay’s birthday. This day, we have an “amanecer” with all family in her house. We usually have a great time.


.

Rob. said...

The fair of La Chinita is very nice. You should visit Maracaibo on November 18Th. We have a lot of band playing songs in honor of La Chinita and people go to la Basilica to pray her. I didn't go to La Chinita fair this year, because I had a cold and was very sick. I didn't go anywhere I just stayed home. In La Chinita’s fair 90% of people drink a lot and I don't like it. This day you're supposed to ask La Chinita for anything you want.

joalis said...

November 18th is a very important day in our state.Today there will be many activities all around the state and specially here in Maracaibo.The people of Maracaibo celebrate the Festival of La Chinita in November with an all night party.Another big thing in the Feria is the bull fight

Anonymous said...

The chinita´s fair was good…. A lot of drinking and partying =D… the chinita´s baseball game was better because ¨Magallanes¨ won yeeeeeah!!!…. I have two years in Maracaibo and I like the chinita´s fair …. This time I spent it with my friends and enjoyed the long weekend… well, people I don’t remember much about those days!!! But I know it is a crazy festivity!! by:stephanie acosta! s-511

Anonymous said...

Chinita´s Fair was fabulous because as every year there was a parade of very good singers and bands, the bullfights, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, the Amanecer "gaitero", I correct…Vallenatero, because there was an endless of Vallenatos during the fair. For me, the best thing was La Orquídea, despite the heat and too much Vallenato, I had a great time listening to and dancing with Tito El Bambino, "I will not forget his wonderful show, but now I like him a lot, I LOVE him!!!!
Maria antonieta Pineda Faria
S-511

Jackie Urdaneta said...

Chinita´s day is very important in Maracaibo, The fair is interesting because people love to celebrate and drink a lot.
People go to the bull fights, amanecer gaitero and baseball game.
In my opinion the fair can be dangerous and i don´t like to out to celebrate.
Usually in my house celebrate my mother birthday.

maria jose said...

In my opinion, the fair is the best of the year because; it's time to be united and to find peace. The appearance of the tablita was a miracle that happened when an old lady went to the shore of Lake Maracaibo to wash her clothes.
This year, I went to the bull fight “corridas de toros” and went to “festival de la orquidea” this is tv show. I like the fair because is funny and the party is happy.
Maria Aranguibel
D-522

Orianna said...

In my opinion, Chinita’s fair is a great fair because the people of Maracaibo come together to honor Our Lady of Rosario of Chiquinquira. In this fair people go out with friends and family to “AMANECERES” that is like a concert with a lot of national and international singers and bands. In my case I went to several places with lots of girlfriends and we dance until 7 am..!!

I really would like to go to the Basilica to have the chance to see the wood board with the image of La Chinita on November 18th; people said that it’s very interesting and beautiful.
In those fair days people are used to go to the bull fight, but personally I don’t like that, because the poor bulls go there to be killed for people entertainment! IT´S HORRIBLE..!
This year I really wanted to go to the Baseball Game of Aguilas vs. Magallanes! Wow what was a great game!!! But I didn’t go!
Also I went to Bella Vista street to see the lights with my cousin and it was lots of fun, we saw several bands and singers like Daddy Yankee!!! I enjoyed it..!

gianni said...

Well teacher; I have to be honest, I don’t believe in this stuff, because I’m agnostic, but my family does. They are catholic. I don’t understand how people believe in this. I think people need this religious celebration, to feel better with themselves. They need religion to have something to embrace. ; But I tolerate even went people think I don’t.

About the celebration, I don’t like it either, but if someone invites me it is possible that I go with him or her., but not to the cathedral. I don’t like baseball; I prefer football especially when Italy plays. It is my favorite team. And about the bull fights ….is the most horrible thing in this holy day. I can’t understand people enjoying how an animal is killed after being tortured. I’m against it completely.

Anonymous said...

novenber 18th is a very importan day in our state.Because it is a day of celebration for all the zulianos and devotes of the virgin of all the world.Basically, we celebrate with gaitas, parties and tributes to the patrona.The baseball game is tradition of every years.This year was terrible because we lost.In the feria we have the bull figth.I personally like it and a lot of people like going to the bull figth ring and yell "ole".This tradition tat comes from Spain.
Jose Marcano
C.I.19075631
Sec:d522

Anonymous said...

It’s a very important and interesting festivity day especially for people in Maracaibo,
But now day people take the chance to get drunk and party for this reason lot of accidents happened and people died. But you can see many lights in the streets and that’s good. This year I went to a stage in Grano de Oro to see “Desorden Publico”

Anonymous said...

November 18th is a very important day in our state. The Chinita’s day is very important for devoted people in Maracaibo, but for me it’s not important, because I am not a devoted to anything in special.

Chinita´s Fair was fabulous because as every year there was a parade of very good singers and bands, the bullfights, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, the Amanecer "gaitero
On Chinita’s day, I stay in my house with my family in state falcon because we celebrate my fathers birthday. This day, we have an “amanecer” with all family in her house because is very safe

EDINSONKORN

edinson talavera said...

November 18th is very important day in our state. The Chinita’s day is very important for devoted people in Maracaibo, but for me it’s not important, because I am not a devoted to anything in special.

Chinita´s Fair was fabulous THIS YEAR because as every year there was a parade of very good singers and bands, the bullfights, Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, AND the Amanecer "gaitero
On Chinita’s day, I stayed in my house with my family in falcon state because we celebrated my father’s birthday. This day, we had an “amanecer” with all family in OUR house because IT is SAFER THAT WAY.

Anonymous said...

Hello, The day of the “Virgen de la Chinita” is very important, because I think, celebrating our lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira festivity is interesting. This year I went to the basilica. The people of Maracaibo celebrate the Festival of La Chinita in November with an all night party
Another tradition at the fair is that Bella Vista Avenue is decorated with lights and Christmas decorations. This makes our city the most beautiful of the world."ronald gelvez"

Daniela said...

Chinita´s day is a very special day because of the devotion that Maracaibo´s people have on their virgin. There are many ways to celebrate it but the popular are the baseball game and the procession to “La Basilica” and everybody get together in that place to pray for so beautiful reason. Chinita´s day is the most popular holiday.
This year I wasn’t here but last year I went to a concert where I saw the sunrise and then to the baseball game. It was great!