The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, along with Vice President David Choquehuanca and several ministers, participated in the Alasita fair, held temporarily in Plaza Murillo, La Paz. With the start of the "Alasita of the Bicentennial" celebration, commemorating 200 years of Bolivia's Independence, thousands of Bolivians began to celebrate the traditional "miniature festival."
For three weeks, the Alasita fair offers citizens the opportunity to acquire miniatures made by Bolivian artisans. This event, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2017, has evolved in recent decades, becoming a cultural phenomenon rooted in Bolivian society.
In cities like La Paz and El Alto, citizens buy miniatures representing desired objects such as houses, vehicles, land, professional titles, and passports, hoping they will materialize over time. During the celebration, ancestral offerings known as ch'allas are made at small altars, using various elements like alcohol, flowers, incense, among others, to fulfill wishes.
In this context, President Arce expressed well wishes for the prosperity of all Bolivian families, receiving miniature bills as a symbol of abundance and economic resources for the country. He also shared miniatures and bills with attendees, wishing that the Ekeko, the god of abundance and the central figure of the festival, brings them prosperity.
Regarding the evolution of the Alasita tradition, teacher Ana Patricia Huanca noted that in the last two decades, it has transcended to various regions of Bolivia and even to other countries, attracting people from all social strata. This celebration, besides being an exaltation of tradition, is a testimony to the transformation of devotion to Ekeko and demonstrates the cultural importance of this festivity in the country.
