狂欢,以圣母的名义

Acts of faith have been a part of the human culture since societies were formed. The need to believe and get hope from divine forces is a part of many lives. Festivals around the world are dedicated to that, and draw millions to participate in their celebrations to the god they worship.

In Quillacollo, Bolivia, a demonstration of such faith and devotion takes place every August; three days of street dancing with the most colorful costumes, a 1)pilgrimage, early morning Masses, and rituals honoring their 2)saint. This devout celebration is called Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupi?a.

自从人类社会诞生以来，表达信仰的行动一直都是人类文化的一个组成部分。在许多人的生活当中，相信神的力量，并从中获取希望是不可缺少的。世界各地的多个节日也因此而诞生，吸引无数的人共同赞美他们敬奉的神明。

在玻利维亚的基亚科约，每年八月里有三天时间，人们身穿最绚丽的服装在大街上尽情地歌舞，走一次朝圣之旅，在清早做弥撒，为他们的神明举行各种仪式。人们对信仰的虔诚和对神明的热情都在此时表露无遗。这个虔诚的宗教活动正是圣母节。

of land are sold in a symbolic ceremony. Buying the land and placing the miniatures are another way of asking the Virgin to grant their wishes.

Another symbolic act is hammering the rocks of this sacred hill. The stones represent money. The size of the wish is related to the size of the rock being carved. If the wish is granted, it is customary to return the stone the following year.

At the end of the festival the Virgin of Urkupi?a will go to rest back in the church for a whole year. Next year more requests will be asked and more rocks will be carved on the hill. With the Urkupi?a Virgin as an inspiration, perhaps many stones will be returned after those wishes come true. Here in Quillacollo, Bolivia, where hopes and faith are so deeply expressed, anything is possible.

行的一个象征性仪式上，小块小块的地被卖出。买地和把迷你模型放到山上都是请求圣母达成他们愿望的另一种方式。还有一种象征性的举动是锤打这座神圣小山上的石头。这些石头代表钱财，人们愿望的大小与这些石头的大小有关。如果他们的愿望得以实现，按惯例，他们要在下一年把这些石头带回来。

到了节日的最后，圣母像会回到教堂里休息整整一年。到了明年，人们会向她提更多的要求，山上会有更多的石头被砸开。有了圣母作为人们生活的动力，也许在众人愿望成真后，会有许许多多的

石头被带回来。在玻利维亚的基亚科约，人们以如此强烈

的方式来表达他们的希望和信仰，一切皆有可能。翻译：Portia