172 CultureShock! Chile
All Saints’ Day
On 1 November, many Chileans visit the cemetery to pay
their respects to the dead. When this holiday falls near the
weekend, it also signals the unofficial beginning of summer
and Santiaguinos flock to the beach.Halloween
Halloween has not been a traditional event in Chile. However,
as the world gets smaller and ideas are introduced from other
countries, customs change and develop. You will now see
Halloween costumes for sale in parts of Santiago. Although
trick-or-treating (the practice of going house to house to ask for
candy) has no history in Chile, it has begun to catch on in the
wealthier parts of Santiago.Immaculate Conception
Catholics celebrate the Immaculate Conception on 8
December. A number of Chileans make pilgrimages on this
day. One of the biggest pilgrimages entails walking from
Santiago to the Santuario de la Virgen de lo Vásquez 86 km
(53 miles) away to pray to the Virgin Mary. Lo Vásquez is a
shrine to the Blessed Virgin on the main highway between
Santiago and the twin cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso.
Many people stop to visit the shrine throughout the year
because it is believed that all prayers to the Virgen de lo
Vásquez will be answered. There is a wall in the courtyard
covered with plaques thanking and praising the Virgin
Mary for answering their petitions. Most children receive
their First Communion on this day.Christmas
In Chile, Christmas is a much more relaxed holiday than in
other parts of the world. There is a Christmas spirit, but one
is not overwhelmed with Christmas decorations, except in the
shopping malls. Santa Claus makes his appearance, dying in
the summer heat in his heavy, red suit. Chileans adorn their
homes with nativity scenes and Christmas trees, both real
and artificial, a tradition brought to Chile by the Germans.