FIESTA PATRONAL DE SAN SALVADOR Y FIESTAS AGOSTINAS

The employers'fiesta in San Salvador is inseparable from the Agostinas. From 3 to 6 August, this is the occasion to feast, to get out of masks, the tanks of the parade, the bandas (bands), to dance at the ball, to win in bingo, to elect the Queen of the party (reinada), to taste the joys and delights of the gastronomic fair, to enjoy the amusement park and to attend the lights d'artifice. But above all, it is about celebrating and honouring the Holy Saviour of the capital, Divino Salvador del Mundo.

It's the desfile del correo, a parade that symbolizes the time when the postal workers handed the mail to the intendant or mayor to announce the beginning of the celebrations, beginning at dawn and launching the festivities. Throughout this holiday period, religious celebrations, religious celebrations, sports competitions and musical concerts are taking place, attracting thousands of tourists who will then go to beaches and other tourist places.

Agostinas fiestas have been celebrated for almost five hundred years and date from the colonial era. They took place the first time in 1526. At that time, the party was more civic in character and took place on August 6 in memory of the definitive victory of Spaniards over the natives.

Today, the main celebration is religious. It takes place on 5 August by a procession in honour of the Savior of the world who travels through the main streets of downtown San Salvador to arrive in front of the metropolitan cathedral.

On August 6, a mass in that same church closed this festive period.