Folklore Parade; Granada, Nicaragua

Some of the most enriching travel experiences happen due to serendipity.

A few years ago I visited the historic colonial town of Granada, Nicaragua.  My visit just happened to coincide with an international poetry festival.  I’m not a poetry buff, and even if I were, most of the events associated with the festival were conducted in Spanish.  No hablo español.

Some of the unique costumes worn at an international poetry festival parade in Granada, Nicaragua.  

But there was one event that spoke to me profoundly in a language I could understand.  The festival was culminated by one of the most magnificent and resplendent parades I have ever seen.

It seemed like all of Granada – a town of about 90,000 people – turned up to either march or watch the parade.  I didn’t understand the meaning behind some of the exhibits and costumes, but I was told later that much of it had to do either with poking fun at the Spanish – who ruled Nicaragua until it gained its independence in 1821 – or honoring the country’s indigenous culture.

The people in these photos wearing brightly colored folkloric dress, caught my attention.  And they didn’t seem shy about posing for pictures.  It’s a lovely reminder of what was one of the highlights of a fascinating trip to Central America.

Copyright © Dan Fellner 2012