Easter
Ayacucho - 2nd half of March-1st week of April

Easter week represents the peak of religious sentiment for the people of the Andes. The department capital of Ayacucho, San Cristobal de Huamanga, located in the central Andes at an altitude of 2,761 m.a.s.l., celebrates one of the most interesting portrayals of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ.

The week starts out with the entry of Jesus into the city riding on a donkey. On Wednesday, the images of the Virgin Mary and Saint John are paraded in fervent processions through streets carpeted with flower petals until they meet up with the devouts bearing the image of Christ, whom they greet in the main square. On the evening of Holy Friday, the lights of the city are snuffed out to give way to the Christ of Calvary.

The effigy of the Christ of Calvary sets out from the Monastery of Santa Clara in a procession through the streets on a litter strewn with white roses, followed by the grieving Virgin Mary and lines of men and women strictly dressed in mourning bearing lit candles. The litter, which features thousands of white candles, is simply magnificent. The litter is then accompanied with prayers and songs throughout the night until the three-hour sermon is delivered on Saturday.

Resurrection Sunday takes on a festive air. Christ is resurrected and appears once more on his litter and is carried through the streets.

Peruvian Paso Horse Festival
Pachacamac (Lima) - April 15 to 20

The Spanish horse, bred from the Arab stallion and reared in a desert environment, which formed its gait, gave rise to the Peruvian Paso horse. For 300 years, the blood of this new breed was improved upon until the Paso horse developed the characteristics that have made it one of the worlds most beautiful and elegant breeds.
Breeders, Chalan riders and artisans, have worked on the art of ambladura -the synchronized gait of the legs-, which in turn gave rise to the elegant steps, and dress of the marinera. The most important competition is the National El Paso Horse Competition held every year at the Mamacona stables near Pachacamac located 30 km south of Lima.