Feasts and Festivals in Trujillo

National Contest of "Marinera"

January - February. Varies - (Workable days)
The marinera is one of the most elegant dances in Peru. The dance involves a great deal of flirting between a couple, who each twitch a handkerchief in their right hand, while keeping the beat during what is fairly complex choreography. Dance steps, characteristic of the marinera include the coqueteo (with the couple dancing very closely together) and the skillful cepillado footwork (literally "brushing"). The daring marinera, danced in the department of La Libertad, features the man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and poncho and the lady dressed in an intricate Moche lace dress. From January 20-30, the Gran Chimú stadium in the city of Trujillo holds the country's most important marinera festival. This competition, that draws couples from all over the country, is organized by the Club Libertad. During the festival, the city also hosts processions involving floats, and the whole town takes on a festive air. The people of Trujillo gather at the main square to dance and celebrate. (Central days 2013: January 25 - 28)

Concurso de Caballo de Paso Peruano Marinera "Guillermo Pinillos Cox"

Peruvian Paso Horse Contest

January 25 to 29, 2013

International Festival of the Spring

From the 22 of September until October 4 - (Workable days)
Party of happiness, youth and color, in which participate the whole city and their visitors. Traditional "Corso" of the Flowers that begins at the Mansiche Stadium and travels through the city. Allegorical cars with the beauty queens, preceded of cheer leaders from U.S., folkloric groups, groups of students from school and university, "Chalanes" (horsemen) riding their extraordinary "Caballo de Paso Peruano". Foreign and Peruvian delegations participate. Parties at nights, beauty contests, artistic and cultural activities. This festival generates the visit of many Peruvian and foreign people to Trujillo. Organized by Lions Club of Trujillo.

"Olimplayas" (Olympic games played at the beach)

January - February (movable)
Huanchaco and Las Delicias resorts, sport games at the beach.

Marinera: Is a coastal dance of Peru, generally called the "National Dance of Peru." Marinera is a graceful and romantic couple's dance that uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance is an elegant and stylized reenactment of a courtship, and it shows a blend of the different cultures of Peru. The dance itself has gained a lot of recognition and is one of the most popular traditional dances of Peru. Ever since the 1960s, during the month of January, in the city of Trujillo a National Contest of Marinera Nortena is held. The origin of the Marinera is generally traced back to the Zamacueca. Nevertheless, there are various other theories about where it comes from. Traditional accompaniment for the dance is provided by cajón, clarinets, guitars, drums, and bugles. In Peru, the dance would adjust itself to the post-revolutionary times and take a series of adaptations especially from the coast of the country. Early on, two new styles developed: The Marinera Norteña and the Marinera Limeña. Although the dance never so much as "left" Peru, due to cultural and political reasons this new version of the Zamacueca gained the nickname "la chilena" (in reference to the Chilean Cueca). During the War of the Pacific, the broken ties between these two countries forced this new Zamacueca to indefinitely change its name in honor of the Peruvian Navy to the name of "La Marinera."

Zamacueca: Is an ancient colonial dance that originated in the Viceroyalty of Peru, taking its roots from African, Spanish, and Andean rhythms. Although currently the dance is not widely popular, several dance institutions in places such as Peru still dedicate part of their time to teaching Zamacueca. The popularity of the Zamacueca would eventually lead to it flowing out of its main region in modern-day Peru to other places in South America. The dance would slowly evolve as it took on new influences, but the basic steps and foundations of the dance remained almost the same.

Source: Wikipedia