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Independence Day Celebration in Managua, Nicaragua
(from vianica.com)

Currently, September is celebrated as a patrimonial month, and throughout Nicaragua people hang out the blue and white flags at their houses. The commemorative activities start at schools and institutions the first of the month. Below follows a chronological overview of the activities.

September 1 – start of the Central American Patrimonial Festivities, initiated by an act of inauguration. Place and exact date vary every year (generally September 1, though). Besides officials from the Nicaraguan government, ambassadors from the Central American sister republics also participate, as well as hundreds of students from the capital. Schools also participate with their marching bands.

September 11 – every year, during the patrimonial month, a burning torch travels through Central America, from Guatemala to Costa Rica, transported by feet and going from hand to hand in every one of the countries. The torch reaches “Las Manos”, the Nicaraguan border with Honduras, on September 11, and is exchanged between the ministers of Education from Honduras and Nicaragua (in the morning). The torch then starts to travel the country over the Pan American Highway, and it goes from hand to hand by the best students from the schools of each municipality and other outstanding individuals who will each run with the torch for no more than 100 meters. The total run is 387 kilometers and it involves more than 8 thousand students.

September 12 – this day, at 9 AM, the torch is received, generally at the National Cultural Palace, by the President of the republic or by the Minister of Education accompanied by other government officials. Folkloric events take place in the morning as well.

September 13 – at the southern border 'Peñas Blancas' the torch changes hands between the Nicaraguan and Costa Rican Ministers of Education. This day, at 6 PM, the national flag will be hung out in all educational centers and principal institutions. Furthermore, the national anthem is broadcasted in the media and performed throughout the country.

September 14 – at 6 AM the flag is once more hung out commemorating the anniversary of the independence of Central America and the battle at San Jacinto.

This day the central act takes place, starting in the morning and led generally by the President of the Republic.

Several years ago, the act took place at the National Stadium, but this limited the number of spectators.

In the past years the event therefore took place around the Masaya Highway or in the old center of Managua.

During this event, the Presidential Medallion is awarded to the best students and teachers from the country. Furthermore, a parade is formed by 100 schools from the capital (approximately 15,000 students) with the marching bands as well as bands from the National Army and the Police.

September 15 – the Act of Independence of Central America is read in all state schools throughout Nicaragua, in an act of commemoration.

This final event ends the series of activities related to the battle at Hacienda San Jacinto and the Nicaraguan independence.

Part of the celebrations consisted in the past years also of the ‘Festival Nacional de Bandas Rítmicas’, generally celebrated during the first days of September.

These activities now take place on different dates throughout the year, during other months than September.

These bands are groups that combine music and choreographic rhythms, composed of students from schools from throughout Nicaragua. Every group represents its school and is selected during departmental contests. The groups compete in front of a juror who will choose the best musical group of the country. The finale of the festival takes place at the National Stadium in Managua, and is open to the public. (vianica.com).

Photos from vivanica.com

CULTURE & ACTIVITIES



INDEPENDENCE DAY (SEPTEMBER 15) Bluefields, Nicaragua is a great place to celebrate September 15th! Nicaragua’s Independence Day. Independence Day is celebrated with a fun and colorful parade throughout the city of Bluefields, the parade is made up of students and school bands from the primary and secondary schools in Bluefields. This parade along with other festive events throughout the city makes Independence Day a very fun time to be in Bluefields.



MAY POLE (PALO DE MAYO) FESTIVITIES (May)
"May pole" is a cultural dance that is said to be centuries old, and is thought by some to have fertility symbolism. In Bluefields, Nicaragua we still celebrate this wonderful cultural dance together with the annual carnival and a pageant to elect the queen of Bluefields. It is a great time to be in Bluefields as these events are fun, colorful and illustrates the rich culture and history of Bluefields. The festivity begins the 1st day in May and continues throughout the month of May.


CARNIVAL (MAY)
Bluefields carnival is held annually, usually the last weekend in May.

	NATIONAL AND LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN NICARAGUA

MONTH	HOLIDAYS	OTHER EVENTS
January	New Year’s Day – celebrated on a nationally scale on the 1st of January each year.
February	Air Force Day – held on the 1st of February in honor of the nation’s air force.
March
April	Holy Thursday – celebrated nationally on the first Thursday of April. Good Friday – celebrated nationally on the Friday following Holy Thursday.
May	Labor Day – celebrated nationally on the first 1st of May. Army Day – held on May 27 in honor of the nation’s army.
June
July	Liberation Day/Sandinista Revolution Day – celebrated on the 19th of July on a national level. It marks the day that the National Liberation Army defeated the Somoza dictatorship. Fiesta de Santiago – celebrated on the 25th of July in Boaco, Somoto and Managua. Fiesta de Santa Ana – celebrated on the 26th of July in Nandaime, Niquinohomo, Moyogalpa and Ometepe.
August	Fiesta de Santo Domingo – celebrated on the 1st of August in Managua. Fiesta de San Roque – celebrated from the 8th to the 16th of August in Chinandega. Fiesta de Asuncion – celebrated on the 14th and 15th of August in Masaya, Granada, Juigalpa, Ocotal.
September	Battle of San Jacinto – celebrated on the 14th of September on a National level. It is held on the anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto which took place in 1856. Independence Day – a national holiday held on September 15 to celebrate Central America’s declaration of Independence in 1821. Fiesta de San Jeronimo – celebrated in Masaya and Leon on the 20th of September. Virgen de Mercedes – celebrated on September 24th in Leon and Chinandega. Fiesta de San Miguel – celebrated on the 29th of September in Masaya.
October	Mes del Rosario – celebrated in Granada on all Saturdays of October. Festividades de San Jeronimo – celebrated on Sundays during October in Masaya. Fiesta de San Rafael – celebrated on October 29 in Pueblo Nuevo.
November	Fiesta de San Diego – celebrated in Altagracia and Ometepe during November. All Soul’s Day – celebrated nationally on November 2nd.
December	Immaculate Conception – celebrated nationally on December 8th and in Leon on December 7th. Pase de la Virgen – celebrated in Granada on December 8th. Procesion de la Virgen de Guadalupe – celebrated in Masaya on December 12. Fiesta de Santa Lucia – celebrated in Leon on the 13th of December. Christmas Day – celebrated nationally on December 25th. Dia del Nino Dios – celebrated in Masaya and Esteli on December 25th. Fiesta de San Silvestre – celebrated in Catarina on December 31st. New Years Eve – celebrated nationally on December 31st.