The Ecuadorian government is encouraging citizens to take part in and preserve the Carnival, described as an important expression of national identity and cultural diversity. The festivities are scheduled for Monday, February 16, and Tuesday, February 17, with parades, costumes, music, floats, traditional songs, and local cuisine set to fill public spaces across the country.
Carnival in Ecuador blends Andean traditions related to the end of the agricultural cycle with the period leading up to Catholic Lent. The celebration is seen as a convergence of ancestral knowledge and historical resilience that is renewed each year throughout different regions.
Two major events stand out among the many forms of celebration: the Carnival of Guaranda in Bolívar province and the Fruit and Flower Festival in Ambato, Tungurahua. Both have been recognized on Ecuador’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Carnival of Guaranda has been acknowledged as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2002. It features popular songs known as coplas and traditional foods. Parades add color to the city streets with Taita Carnaval serving as a central figure who leads collective celebrations.
The Fruit and Flower Festival was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. It began after the 1949 earthquake as an expression of resilience and mestizo identity. The festival celebrates agricultural abundance and brings together nearby communities. It includes four main events: an opening parade with the selection of a queen, a blessing ceremony for flowers, fruits, and bread, a fraternity parade, and a nighttime procession.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture is inviting people to visit archaeological sites and museums across Ecuador during the holiday period. Institutions such as Ingapirca Research and Interpretation Center and Cerro de Hojas–Jaboncillo Research Center are managed by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (INPC). Museums affiliated with this ministry will also offer special programming for visitors during Carnival.
“Everyone gets up; how beautiful is carnival!” stated officials promoting participation in these celebrations.
