Context

The San Sebastián Fairs are cultural festivals in Venezuela, particularly in the city of San Cristóbal, Táchira state, dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the city’s patron saint. The San Sebastián International Fair, as it is known, is one of Venezuela’s most important and renowned festivals, with more than 140 events throughout the month of January. The festivities begin on January 6 and culminate on February 2, with the main date being January 20, on which the Mass of Saint Sebastian is celebrated.

Content

La feria tiene sus raíces en la devoción a San Sebastián y se ha convertido en un evento cultural importante que refleja la identidad venezolana y tachirense. Las actividades de la feria se extienden por varios días, con más de 140 eventos, incluyendo conciertos, bailes, gastronomía, artesanías y más. El 20 de enero es la fecha central de la festividad, con una misa especial y masiva participación de la comunidad local y turistas. La feria cuenta con la participación de autoridades locales, como el gobernador y el alcalde de San Cristóbal, así como el respaldo de la comunidad y la policía. La feria atrae a miles de turistas nacionales e internacionales, siendo considerada una de las mejores ferias de Venezuela.

Esta festividad me parece que es una experiencia multirecreacional. Ibamos a los toros, bailes internacionales, orquestas internacionales. Duraba toda una semana completa. Estas fiestas se celebraban el la ciudad donde yo naci, San Cristobal. En esta ciudad y durante la duracion de esta tradiciomm nacieron mis dos hijos, en diferentes anos. Esta es una de las celebraciones mas importantes para mi. Tambien me acuerdo que habían exposiciones de Brazil y de Colombia. Unas de las cosas que ellos traian era ganado de otros paises. Estea es mi festividad mas esperada de todo el ano. 

Translation

The fair has its roots in the devotion to Saint Sebastian and has become an important cultural event that reflects Venezuelan and Táchira identity. The fair’s activities extend over several days, with more than 140 events, including concerts, dances, gastronomy, crafts, and more. January 20th is the main date of the festivities, with a special mass and massive participation from the local community and tourists. The fair enjoys the participation of local authorities, such as the governor and mayor of San Cristóbal, as well as the support of the community and the police. The fair attracts thousands of national and international tourists, and is considered one of the best fairs in Venezuela.

I consider this festival to be a multi-recreational experience. We went to see bullfights, international dances, and international orchestras. It lasted a full week. These festivities were celebrated in the city where I was born, San Cristóbal. My two children were born in this city, in different years, during the duration of this tradition. This is one of the most important celebrations for me. I also remember there were exhibitions from Brazil and Colombia. Some of the things they brought were cattle from other countries. This is my most anticipated holiday of the year.

Analysis

This is an example of what Appadurai (1988) calls the “production of locality,” a process where global and local cultural elements fuse through food, music, performance, and spectacle. With its over 140 events, from livestock exhibitions from different parts of South America to live concerts of artists across the country, the feria has become a multilayered expression of Venezuelan and regional Tachirense identity, serving as the main event of the year for Tachirenses. As Abrahams (1993) suggests, such public festivals function as collective enactments of identity, shaping and reflecting national sentiment, especially in times of social or political flux. This feria has been a major help in making Venezuelans have a common place for community when the political state of the country is tense, especially in San Cristobal where this feria takes place.