The Bolivian community in Milano (Italy) celebrates “La Virgen de Urkupiña”, patroness of the Bolivians, commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary near the town of Quillacollo. After a mass, the vivid parade, which proudly displays Bolivian folklore with music, dances, chants, as well as rich and colorful dresses and masks, passes through one of Milano’s main shopping street. The participants end their exhausting celebration on their knees, in front of the Virgen’s statue set on display along the road side.
Italy is presently experiencing some critical times, as far as its relationship with immigration is concerned, and the proud, joyful and peaceful celebration for “the patroness of national integration” by this Bolivian community abroad seems particularly fitting.
The project was published in “Urkupiña: devoción que traspasa fronteras” on Los Tiempos de Bolivia