Why do people roller-skate to church in Venezuela?

Venezuela: Christmas roller skating

Every year between 16 and 24 December in Caracas, Venezuela, roads are closed to traffic to let people “barrel down the streets” on roller skates to get to the early morning Christmas mass, explained The Washington Post.

Do people in Venezuela go to church on roller skates?

Roller-skating to church, Caracas, Venezuela

On Christmas morning, the roads in Caracas are closed to traffic to allow citizens to roller-skate to church. Yes, that's right, roller-skate to church.

What is the purpose of roller skating?

It's great fitness. Who says fitness can't be fun? Roller-skating is a great way to improve heart health, strengthen muscles, and burn calories. It works muscles in the legs, glutes, and core, burns about 600 calories an hour, and causes 50% less stress to the joints than running.

Which two activities are common when celebrating Christmas in Venezuela?

Nativity Scenes (Nacimiento) are very popular and in some regions they are more common than Christmas Trees. Going to Midnight Mass (Misas de Aguinaldo) is very popular and there many other masses and church services in the days before Christmas.

Which city has a Christmas tradition of roller skating to religious services?

Christmas Caracas

In Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, it is customary to travel to early-morning church services during the festival period on roller skates - roads are even cleared to provide Christmas worshippers with a safe passage.

Why walk to church if you can Roller Skate to Church?

How do Venezuelans get to church on Christmas Eve?

For locals in the capital of Caracas, it is customary to strap on your roller skates and glide to Christmas mass. As legend has it, children go to bed with a piece of string tied round their toe and the other end dangling out of the window.

What does Venezuela celebrate in December?

Holiday Traditions of Venezuela

As a predominantly Catholic country, Christmas festivities celebrate the birth of the child Jesus. The religious celebrations begin on the 16th of December with masses said every morning until December 24th, when the religious service is held at midnight (Misa de Gallo).

In what country do they ride roller skates to church on Christmas Eve?

Every year between 16 and 24 December in Caracas, Venezuela, roads are closed to traffic to let people “barrel down the streets” on roller skates to get to the early morning Christmas mass, explained The Washington Post.

What are some Venezuelan traditions?

Regional and national festivals are often celebrated with parades, musical performances, dancing, costumes and parties, such as religious celebrations like the Fiesta de San Juan and the celebration of Corpus Christi. These also reflect the high value Venezuelans place on the traditions of the past.

What religious celebrations take place in Venezuela?

What is the history of roller skating?

Roller-skating was invented in 1735 by John Joseph Merlin, a Belgian who famously introduced his new wheeled shoes at a party in London and promptly crashed into a mirror. (That's why moms always insist their kids wear helmets when learning how to skate!) Monsieur Petitbled patented the roller-skate in 1819.

What are some benefits of roller skating?

Can you roller skate pregnant?

If you're wondering whether roller skating is safe while pregnant, the answer is yes, provided you're smart about it. Roller skating can be safe for pregnant women during the first trimester before their belly and baby grows.

What is the weirdest Christmas tradition?

Spider webs, Ukraine

The legend of the Christmas spider explains that a poor widow and her kids cultivated a Christmas tree from a pine cone but couldn't afford any decorations… then, on Chrissy morning, they woke up to see their tree blanketed in cobwebs, which sunlight then transformed into gold and silver.

Why do people put a coconut under a Christmas tree?

Every year we buy a coconut on Christmas Eve and put it under the tree. This was a tradition on my mom's side of the family, although nobody can tell me exactly why we do it. We usually cracked the coconut open on New Year's day and ate it for good luck, although I think that part might have been improvised by my dad.

What traditions take place on December 7th and 8th?

Día de las Velitas celebrates the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, on the night of December 7th and into the morning of December 8th. Families place candles outside their homes and along streets to light the path that the Virgin Mary will travel, and masses and rosaries are said.

What is the religion in Venezuela?

The U.S. government estimates 96 percent of the population is Catholic. The remaining population includes evangelical Protestants, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church of Jesus Christ), Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Baha'is, and Jews.

What is the most famous tradition in Venezuela?

An unmissable celebration is the Festival de Virgen de Coromoto, a jubilee in honor of the patroness of Venezuela, the Virgin of Coromoto.

What's Venezuela known for?

It has the world's largest known oil reserves and has been one of the world's leading exporters of oil. Previously, the country was an underdeveloped exporter of agricultural commodities such as coffee and cocoa, but oil quickly came to dominate exports and government revenues.

How do Venezuelans get to Christmas Mass when the roads are all closed?

Religious Traditions

There are nine carol services for Christmas and Venezuelans attend at least one of these masses to worship at dawn. From the large city of Caracas to the smaller rural areas, people rise in the early mornings and travel by foot as most roads are closed off.

Which country hides brooms on Christmas Eve?

Wicked Christmas Norwegians believe that Christmas Eve coincides with the arrival of evil spirits and witches. Logically, therefore, households will hide all their brooms before they go to sleep.

How do they celebrate New Year's day in Venezuela?

Celebration\ Observance

People will celebrate with family and friends eating and drinking and often attending firework shows that are held throughout the country. Many will attend a New Year's eve party will they will countdown to the New Year.

What does Venezuela call Santa?

Spanish: Papa Noel (lit.

In South America, a family member often dresses up as Papa Noel and give gifts to the children while they try and guess who the family member is! While in countries like Mexico and Venezuela, presents might also be brought by El Niñito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus).

What are 5 interesting facts about Venezuela?

Do they celebrate Valentine's day in Venezuela?

In Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and other Latin American countries Valentine's Day is called Dia del Amor y la Amistad, which translates to “Day of Love and Friendship.”