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Thus, through the initiative of a precursor of Spanish
origin, Jose Diaz Trianez was done for the first time, the Fiesta de
la Vendimia outside the realm of the intimate rows since in the
previous century since the workers used to celebrate the end of the
harvest by playing the guitar, singing and dancing Cuyanas cuecas
and gatos. In addition, they would choose a girl among the
harvesters that was crowned with clusters of grapes. The month
chosen for this first festival in the city was April, when started
the first parade of beautiful carriages. There was a long period of
33 years when this event was not held, but the memory, the people's
desire and action of visionary officials as Don Guillermo Cano and
Frank Romero Day, allowed in 1936, a provincial decree to
institutionalise the first Fiesta Vendimial, the gymnastics and
fencing stadium at the opening evening sheltered 25,000 people.
There was elected the first Queen of the Harvest, Delia Larriva
Escudero, the representative of Godoy Cruz.
The following year, a competition to create the traditional
march of Harvest was established. Ernesto Fluixá received the first
prize and then the designing of floats for the parade through the
streets of the park began. That harvest carousel prefigured the
current parades. For the first time, admission to attend the show
were sold and hundreds of fireworks were launched into the sky. The
central show and the carousel were complemented by a parade of
gondolas in the Lake at the Park. The second harvest Queen was
elected, Elia Rico.
In '38, the stage is changed in order to offer more space for the
public. The site chosen was the roundabout of General San Martin
Park.
But, 1939 is the year of the major innovations: for the first time there
was the Blessing of the Fruit, using the scenario of the Park. It
represented a great cathedral and for the first time the stage was
decorated. The tradition established in 1936 was abandoned; when
chosen, the queen had to give the order to start the celebrations.
The election and coronation of the Queen became the closing of the
night. For the first time, the Carousel entered the city.
Under the name of the Corsican floats, was born what in the future
would be known as Via Blanca de Las Reinas. The liturgical symbols
reflecting the celebrations were completed. The image of the Virgin
of Carrodilla was transported to the proscenium to preside over the
acts of the Blessing of the Fruit.
In 1940, a floating stage was installed inside the Lake at the
General San Martin Park, having the presence of 250 artists and the
classic parade of gondolas. After the events, the organizers saw the
need for more space to accommodate the public, which had increased
steadily, and the incorporation of lights as a matter of special
attraction.
In 1943, it was decided to return to the stage of the roundabout to
offer, for the first time, an argumentative raster of the Vendimia
history.
In'44, an official march was adopted. The chosen one was Canto
a Mendoza, wich was first recorder by Francisco Canaro, with the voice
of Hugo del Carril.
But, back in '63, the festival reached its definite stage: it was
moved to the Greek Theatre and thus begins the expansion into the
hills to the sound and light shows.
The Festival as we have said, was born big but grew in form and
content. The choice of the harvest sovereign is a tribute to the
sacrificed work of the women in the groove. The queen will become a
true ambassador of Mendoza, with the mission of spreading the
virtues of its people and the beauty of its land.
The staging of the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia requires a large
deployment. According to those responsible for each festival, the
scenery covers 3.000m² and uses 25,000 lights bulbs, 3,500 plates of
plaiwood, 2.500m² of wood, 4,000 costumes between dancers, actors
and extras, 500 kg. of fireworks, and nearly 1,000 people in total,
among those are the ones that go to the stage, the ones who are in
command of the lights, sound and choreography, the queens and their
courts.
Thus, the Festival of the Harvest has become, like a good wine, a
celebration with its own spirit, in the best way to be a lasting
creation.
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