LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia's largest Andean religious festival, known as the Day of the Great Power, has traditionally served as a vibrant occasion for revelry, allowing Bolivians to momentarily escape the hardships of ongoing political and economic strife. This year, however, the event, which celebrates a 17th-century painting of Jesus Christ, resonated with deeper significance amid escalating tensions in the country.
On Saturday, as the celebrations commenced in La Paz, the typically jubilant atmosphere was tinged with a solemn acknowledgment of recent violence. Moments of silence were held to honor the victims of clashes between protesters and police that resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including four police officers and two civilians. Among the deceased was a young student, identified by protesters, who had succumbed to injuries inflicted during the unrest just before the festival.
The political climate in Bolivia has been particularly polarized since the electoral tribunal disqualified former President Evo Morales from participating in the August presidential election. Morales, a significant figure in Bolivia's leftist political movement, saw his loyalists take to the streets in protest following this decision, with many reporting instances of police brutality. In response, the government deployed military tanks to various locations, including Llallagua, in central Bolivia, stoking tensions further.
Despite calls from La Paz municipal authorities to postpone the festival in light of the "pain of the Bolivian people," the event's organizers remained steadfast, highlighting the economic boost that the celebration was expected to provide. The Day of the Great Power, anticipated to generate approximately $68 million, was perceived as a necessary stimulus for a nation grappling with its worst economic crisis in four decades.
This annual festival, taking place around eight weeks after Easter, showcases a unique blend of Roman Catholic and Indigenous traditions, bolstered by its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The centerpiece of the celebration is a miraculous depiction of Jesus known as El Señor del Gran Poder, or The Lord of the Great Power, which features Indigenous Andean characteristics.
Dancing during the festival is seen as a sacred act of devotion, with participants invoking prayers for forgiveness, healing, and salvation. However, this year, many dancers redirected their pleas towards pressing demands for economic recovery and unity amidst turmoil. Father Saul Mamani, a priest leading the ceremony, conveyed that devotees were seeking restoration and peace for the nation.
The economic difficulties were palpable throughout the festival, with many participants opting for simpler costumes and masks, while dancers substituted their traditional gold jewelry for affordable alternatives. Jorge Rodríguez, a 37-year-old dancer, remarked on the 60% increase in costume prices, noting that nearly half of his group could not afford to participate this year. Organizers managed to recruit only around 70,000 dancers—20,000 fewer than in previous years—and scaled back plans to invite renowned musicians.
Among those impacted economically was Edgar Apaza, a local merchant tasked with funding a significant portion of the event. He reported tightening his budget despite saving all year. Plácida Quispe, a 73-year-old embroiderer, expressed her struggle to find demand for her bright costumes, indicating that renting them had become a more viable option for participants who could not afford the prices.
As Inflation in Bolivia surged to 9.81% in the first five months of 2025, the public's frustration over President Luis Arce's handling of the economy intensified. Many Bolivians face difficulties in affording basic necessities, further complicating the atmosphere during the festival.
