Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha

The festival

Tacuarembó, in northern Uruguay, is declared capital of the Gaucha tradition — and its Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha, created in 1987, is a demonstration of this.

For five days, at the beginning of March, some thirty nativist societies and aparcerías set up their raw earth ranchos around Laguna de las Lavanderas and recreate the life of the campo of a century ago: fogons (campfires) and improvised payadas, Creole parade of hundreds of riders, jineteadas — the ride of wild horses —, outing races and competition of criollas skills. Creole horse is in honour, folk music also, on the stages of the festival.

Organized by the Intendencia de Tacuarembó, the festival has become the model of traditional festivals throughout the country.