The La Vega Carnival sets the tone for the celebration of colorful carnival events nationwide in February. The carnival parades are traditionally held on Sundays in February.
The La Vega Carnival is said to be the oldest in the Caribbean. Evidence has been found in the ruins of La Vega Vieja (near the present day La Vega) showing that carnival has been celebrated on the island since 1510, when it was introduced by the Spanish colonizers. The celebration originally consisted of the European residents on the island dressing themselves as Moors and Christians.
Thousands todayt travel to La Vega to participate in the carnival and watch the parades of the traditional costumed characters — Diablo Cojuelo, Roba la Gallina, La Ciguapa, Los Indios.
This February, the parades and action will take place on Sundays 4, 11, 25 and on Tuesday, 27 February, a national holiday celebrating Independence Day.
The event is organized by the Union Carnavalesca Vegana (UCAVE) with the backing of the Grupo Medrano, a La Vega media group.
Roberto Rodríguez, general director of the Medrano Group, said that leading artists will perform every Sunday at the end of the exciting parades of floats, troupes and characters.
The organizers set aside an area where the diablos cojuelos cannot blast the crowds with their bladders.
The visit to La Vega city can also be coordinated with a stop at the La Vega Carnival Museum. The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm and from 2pm to 5pm and on Sundays from 9am to 12:30pm. Call the museum at Tel 809 573-9716 for more details.
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El Nuevo Diario
24 January 2024