Church in Ahuachapan
On September 7, 2024, the municipality of Ahuachapan Center will be the capital of the Republic of El Salvador for one day. This symbolic designation honors the municipality’s celebration of the Day of the Lanterns (Día de los Farolitos).
El Día de los Farolitos is a cultural and religious festival that takes place yearly on September 7; historians trace it back to the 1850s. It celebrates the eve of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birth and has become one of the most cherished religious traditions in the country.
This celebration, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of El Salvador, reflects the cultural identity of Ahuachapán and holds significant importance in the western region of the country.
During the plenary session on August 27, the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly voted to designate the municipality of Ahuachapán Center as the capital of the country for September 7, 2024.
The initiative was introduced by the Commission for Childhood and Integration, led by Deputy Suecy Callejas.
In the Commission for Childhood and Integration, we issued a favorable opinion to declare September 7 “Capital of the Republic of El Salvador for a Day” in the municipality of Ahuachapan Center, within the framework of the celebration of the Day of the Lanterns. Deputy Suecy Callejas Estrada.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador Holidays and Celebrations: A Year-Round Journey Through El Salvador’s Cultural Calendar
The motion passed with 59 votes in favor. The Day of the Lanterns attracts thousands of national and foreign tourists.
The Ahuachapaneca community, known for its hospitality, has been preparing months in advance to offer an unforgettable event to its visitors.
The Ahuachapan municipality is made up of the districts of Ahuachapan, Apaneca, Concepción de Ataco, and Tacuba.
