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In La Playa de Belén, a town in Norte de Santander with beautiful colonial architecture that is part of the Network of Heritage Towns of Colombia, the patron saint festivities are celebrated in September in honor of the Virgen de las Mercedes.
Religious events set the tone of the festivities, among which the skylight organized in honor of the Patron Saint of the municipality stands out.
The parade through the streets of the town with lanterns and candles, singing songs and prayers in honor of the Virgin in a spectacle of devotion and meditation.
September 24, the day on which the feast of the Virgin of Mercy is commemorated, is marked by the celebration of the Eucharist.
In addition to the religious celebrations themselves, the patron saint's festivities include cultural and recreational activities such as concerts and the famous machetilla contest, a peasant dance characteristic of the Catatumbo region that is danced in pairs to the sound of maracas, guitar, requinto and tiple.
There are also traditional games and gastronomic fairs where attendees can enjoy typical dishes from the region.
The Patron Saint Festivities in Honor of the Virgen de las Mercedes (Fiestas de Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes) not only celebrate the faith of the community, but also strengthen the sense of identity and belonging, promoting tourism and social cohesion in La Playa de Belén.
