With the summer approaching, we’ll be soon hitting festival season. Taking in a festival is a great way to experience the true culture of a country and to get to know the ways of its people, so we’ll be keeping you abreast of what’s going on around the country each month, so you won’t miss a thing.
Here are some of the upcoming festivals and events around Uruguay for December.
Punta del Este Food & Wine Festival 2010
As we’re still in November we thought you wouldn’t mind if we sneak in this one—it’s the first ever Food & Wine Festival in Punta del Este, and though the festival is nearing its end, there’s still time to catch it’s finale, this Saturday. During the festival, every Saturday in the month of November sees a top chef host a dinner for up to 180 guests. This Saturday it’s Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, and his dinner will be in Pueblo Garzón, a rural town outside Punta. You can find out more about the event at: http://www.puntafoodandwine.com.
Documentary Film Festival
The Fourth International Documentary Film Festival of Uruguay, Atlantidoc 2010, begins on Tuesday November 30, and runs until the 5th December. The festival is held every year “with the aim of presenting a perspective of new documentary productions.” In the city of Canelones 83 carefully-selected documentaries from 20 countries will be screened, and awards given in categories such as “Best Original Music in a Documentary”, “Best Art Direction in a documentary”, “Best Production”, and “Best Screenplay”. For more info, go to http://www.atlantidoc.com.
Country Music Festival
The 4th International Country Music Festival of Uruguay which was originally scheduled for Nov 27th has been postponed until next year. In the meantime the association has organized a one-day event for the 4th December this year. For more, visit www.amcuruguay.com.
Beach Day
On Dec 8th, Uruguay celebrates Beach Day, which marks the official opening of the beaches for the summer season. At some locations there may be regattas or sailing competitions to celebrate the day.
Christmas Fireworks
It is not an official festival or event, however the fireworks around Uruguay on Christmas Eve should not be missed. In an article we published on last year’s spectacle by regular OU contributor Syd Blackwell, he describes the event: “The night before Christmas is not about calm or quiet; it’s about noise and light. It’s time for fuegos artificiales—FIREWORKS! Shortly past eleven thirty, the skies start to come alive with skyward streaks that explode into fiery flowers of light. It becomes a rising crescendo that by quarter to twelve is nearly constant. From the rooftop of my home I am surrounded by explosions of gold, red, blue, green, and silver. I am in the middle of a cacophonous concert. By midnight the orchestra is in full glory. I twist and twirl to catch the whole show. Children race bikes up and down the street while others jump and clap their hands in glee. Adults stare skyward at the spectacle. Nearly every house contributes to the symphony.”
We hope you enjoy the fun activities around Uruguay this December, and if there’s anything going on that we didn’t mention, please drop us a mail at editor@olauruguay.com.
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