Thousands visit Popayan for Holy Week (photos)

Thousands of worshipers flocked to the southwestern Colombian city of Popayan this week to participate in the festivites of the Holy Week.

This year marks Popayan’s 456th celebration of the Holy Week, which is considered Colombia’s most important religious event of the year.

The festivities included nightly processions, a religious music festival, and many touring exhibitions to honor the country’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and commercial actives.

During the day, locals and tourists visit and worship at the city’s churches and at night line the street to watch the processions which feature the traditional statues carried by eight men, as well as live music from orchestras and military bands.

UNESCO, the United Nation’s cultural agency, granted Popayan’s Holy Week the Intangible Cultural Heritage award in 2009.

Photos

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Photos by Christan Leonard

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