A collection of 13 photos about different celebrations in the Andes from acclaimed Peruvian photographer Jose Antonio Rosas.

Tabloid Size 11x17 in

Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique Paper.

Semi glossy.

Jose Antonio Rosas is a renowned Peruvian photographer. His work has been published in several magazines and publications. He has exhibited his remarkable work in Peru. He is currently studying the one-year program of Creative Practices at the International Center of Photography in New York City and he has a background in Finance with an MBA from Wharton School.

www.joseantoniorosas.com/

The "Fiesta de la Candelaria" is the largest public celebration in Peru. It is a two-week long devotional party held every February in the city of Puno, in the Southern Peruvian Highlands. The celebration begins with masses and processions in honor of "La Virgen de la Candelaria", an advocation of the Virgin Mary. As the days progress, devotional activities are replaced by street partying, as people from all over the country watch more than 50,000 dancers from 80 dance troupes parade through the streets to their signatures songs and steps. This year, I followed one of the best known troupes, the "Diablada" from the Bellavista neighborhood, from the early stages of their preparation to their final party following the big parade. In this project, I show different stages from the celebration as seen from inside the dance troupe.

The Chaccu is an Andean ceremony that marks the beginning of the season of the capture and shearing of vicunas, whose wool is the most valuable in the world. The community of Picotani, at 4800 meters of altitude in the Altiplano of Puno, is home to 2800 wild vicunas. During the chaccu, community members round the vicunas and bring them to a fence. From there, some are selected for the ceremony, during which the first vicuna of the season is sheared amidst celebrations and dancing. The ceremony ends with a symbolic wedding between two vicunas. It is a privilege to participate in a chaccu and experience the deep connection between the community and its main means of sustenance, the wonderful vicunas.

The Qoyllur Ritti festival is one of the most important celebrations in the Andean World. It takes place every year at the foothills of the tallest mountains of Cusco. Thousands of pilgrims fill a normally desolate place at 4200 meters of altitude to pay tribute to images of Jesus and Mary, as well as the Apus or spirits of the mountains. During three days, the place is filled with dance and festivities from the nations or groups that sing, dance and follow their rituals without rest.