Ruk’ux Scholarship: We love our annual fair!

Santiago Atitlán’s Fair

The fair of Santiago Atitlán is celebrated in honor of the Apostle Santiago, the main day is July 25.

The fair begins on July 20, with the arrival of the mechanical games in the atrium of the Catholic church, the central park and the market. For the children it is an important date because they want to ride all the rides daily.

On the 21st the election of the queen of the lake is celebrated. In this event only the ladino ladies participate. On the 22nd the election of the queen of the indigenous people takes place. Only the ladies who were born in Santiago Atitlán and whose mother tongue is Tz'utujil participate in this event.

On the 23rd the school children parade in the main streets and on the next day, the 24th, there is live music in the central park and games of sport.

The procession of the Apostle Santiago takes place on the 25th. He visits his new house and the new brotherhood. The main food for this day is beef broth and donuts.  A large gathering of people takes place on this day.

On the 26th the municipality always organizes competitions. They include swimming, canoeing,and“Palo encebado”. This consists of climbing a long greasy pole, then men have to grab a greasy pig.  This is followed by eating and dancing. 

For the 28th the Catholic church commemorates the martyrdom of the priest Francis Stanley Rother. Many priests from different places and descendants of the priest attend the ceremony.

Finally on August 1st, Apostle Santiago is taken to his new house and there is live music all night in the park.