Independence Of Cuenca
The 3rd of November is celebrated as the Independence of Cuenca in Ecuador every year. This holiday is one that commemorates the declaration of independence delivered by the city of Cuenca on November 3rd, 1820. Cuenca is a city that’s located in the southern Andes mountains and is located at an elevation of over 8,300-feet.
It’s a city that covers an area of 27.25 square miles and is home to approximately 661,000 citizens. It’s also the location of this holiday’s major thrust of celebrations and is alive on this day with festivals, parades, and food carts. And since the residents of the city have the day off, these are festivities many of them can enjoy.
The History Of The Independence Of Cuenca
There are many different Independence Days across Ecuador and these celebrations give most people a good timeline of how independence spread across the country during the 19th century. The first city in Latin America to declare independence in 1809 was Quito, the current capital of Ecuador. That date is celebrated as Independence Day for the entire country.
Guayaquil was the next city to declare its independence on October 9th, 1820, and this event is now celebrated as Guayaquil Independence Day. The next city to declare its independence was Cuenca on November 3rd, 1820. This is now celebrated as Independence of Cuenca, a holiday that’s observed in that city.
Observing The Independence Of Cuenca
This holiday is observed as a public holiday in the city, and many businesses, schools, and local government offices are closed for the day. However, it’s not just a holiday that’s celebrated just in the city. It’s also celebrated nationally, so people can find dances, concerts, parades, and other events all across the country.
As is the case with most Ecuadoran holidays, this day is also celebrated with food. This includes Cuy Asado (roasted guinea pig), Churrasco Ecuatoriano (grilled meat), Cerviche de Camaron (raw shrimp cocktail), and Bolones de Verde (stuffed green plantain dumplings).