Did you know that Christopher Columbus had a rule to name the place of discovery after the feast day of a saint who coincided with his arrival? St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and El Salvador are some examples of places discovered like this.
This holiday celebrates a religious figure, but it’s also a secular holiday. What’s the story behind it? Well, Pedro de Alvarado conquered the land in the name of Spain and named it “Provincia De Nuestro Señor Jesus Cristo, El Salvador Del Mundo” – Essentially, named it after Jesus Christ, “the savior of the world” and this means “El Salvador” in Spanish, so it makes sense the name evolved.
This became a festival because the Spaniards brought the tradition of Fiesta Patronales, where cities celebrate the feast day of the saint they were named after with a festival. Usually, this festival and feast happens on the day of the saint’s death. However, for Jesus Christ we already celebrate Easter and for his birth, we celebrate Christmas!
So, the people had to choose another day for this celebration and so the day Feast of the Transfiguration was chosen. Pope Callixtus III set it on August 6 to commemorate the lifting of the Siege of Belgrade and the people of El Salvador have been celebrating this since the XVI century.
The festival follows different activities, dances, flowers, music, and a parade with a figure of Jesus going down the main road in the capital.
Have fun learning!
