Celebration of the International Fair of the Chinita!!

History of the apparition of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá

Monument to the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, Maracaibo, Venezuela. The story goes that a poor old washerwoman who lives in a poor neighborhood called The Maracaibo Zamora Saladillo in the province of Venezuela fulfilled their task on the shores of Lake Coquivacoa when a planchette came into his hands, without any particularity the make a singular, but apparently it was collected by giving the utility washer lid to the jar of water. While the old woman seemed to recognize the blurred image tablita of religious reverence and perhaps put it on one wall. On Tuesday November 18, 1709 was absorbed in her chores, so he paid no attention to a series of hits that were heard in the wall where hung the picture. The blows were heard again, but she did not move. However, the third time, went missed the place where they came from shock and surprise was how the planchette is clearly visible image of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá and emerged a bright light. The surprise of this phenomenon led to the street where he began to shout, "Miracle, miracle" and with this began the great devotion of Zulia to the Mother of the physical part of Jesus. The picture was presumably released as spoil in waters of the sea, the plundering of a pirate in the back then the Viceroyalty of New Granada (now Colombia) and it is unknown how long he could be floating in the sea to reach the Coquivacoa Lagoon (now Lake Maracaibo). The gaze of the Virgin in the image is given to the left, as if to presume that makes its way to the then province of Venezuela, becoming since then the "undocumented" most dear in this country, perhaps presaging the great exodus of Colombians who have come to Venezuela. Then the wonder similar to that in the Viceroyalty neighbor wanted to transfer the image to the Cathedral of Nueva Zamora de Maracaibo and actually managed to do to a certain section of the adjacent temple, but arriving at a given location the image began to be heavy in the extreme, to the point we had to lower it and leave it on the ground, but after that could be raised again. In light of the circumstances one of the villagers came to him that perhaps the providence wanted the picture is not in the temple, along with the aristocrats (the wealthy of the time) but in the chapel under construction at that time in San Juan de Dios (more in line with the most deprived) to the west of the city. The suggestion was taken into account and the image amazingly regained its original weight and honors came to the said chapel, now a Minor Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary Chiquinquirá and San Juan de Dios, which is venerated since.

Festive season, framed in the celebration of the Fair, next to the formal schedule and religious activities are popular events and mass according to the beliefs of the faithful. November 18 All Maracaibo and Zulia state in general, have been celebrating the feast of the Chinita, as it was affectionately called in the country, which has become dated from that time, during celebrations for the faithful Zulia village and its surroundings. With the illumination of the Bella Vista Avenue to the sound of the bagpipes (music originated in the colonial era and today is largely dedicated to the celebration of the feasts of the Virgin and protests of the people of Zulia), fireworks light up the sky Maracaibo, chimbangueles (drumming) to rumble, orchestral bands is a party frame, accompanying the Virgin around the streets where it says the miracle of renewal, as also happened in Chiquinquirá, Colombia .

Devotion to the Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquira is very large in the city of Maracaibo and it is attributed multiplicity of favor, some of the most striking have been exalted in beautiful stained glass windows in the same basilica.

La Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquira is the formal employer of the city of Maracaibo, Zulia State and the National Guard of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, was crowned canonically with offerings of gold with precious and semiprecious stones such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds that he has gifted his people from the colony. This crown is supported by four silver angels. In the Spanish period was covered table edge with an embossed gold adornments on the image as crowns for the Virgin and child, the aura, etc, which have been mostly removed except for the crown. Account the image with a rod of gold, sapphires and emeralds, the image also has a crown made of stones called "Tumas" gift of ethnic guajira.

The image of Our Lady of the Rosary Chiquinquirá has moved several times to multiple sites, one of the most memorable was when he visited the capital of the Republic and more frequently has been paraded through the different parishes of Zulia state, moving in boats on the lake and rivers, land vehicles and helicopters. Today these visits continue, but using a replica of receipt of the original image.

The celebrations in honor of the Virgen del Rosario de Chiquinquira, stopped being the modest festivities of the past to acquire international celebration features complex at the confluence of religious and popular events, all gathered under the name gives the International Fair of the Chinita.

It made the famous bullfights, dancing in public and private sites in the city, sunrise pipers, baseball games, the grand gala of beauty (beauty contest that lets you choose the sovereign to be the queen fair throughout the year, broadcast by Venevision through its sensational Sabado), the parade of floats and also many other activities.

On 18 November is a beautiful day in which all Maracaibo (Maracaibo natural) make it an homage to the Virgen de Chiquinquira. That day is celebrated as (La Feria De La Chinita) and is celebrated with much enthusiasm, joy, faith and fidelity by every inhabitant of the city. At the same time develops the game of baseball Cup La Chinita, very popular sport for fans of Zulia, which meets (after a long night of partying) to give encouragement and support of the Eagles baseball team of Zulia. A week following the procession of the Aurora and the image she walks from the Basilica at 3.00 am, to get along with his people on the street. Finally, the Sunday after the image is returned to his dressing room.