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About 45 kilometers west of Tunja is Sutamarchán, a municipality where every year in mid-October the traditional fairs and festivals are held in honor of the Virgen de la Salud, patron saint of the town.
The main religious events that constitute the center of the festivities are the traditional vespers, accompanied by fireworks, and the solemn Eucharist in honor of Our Lady of Health.
The ceremony includes a procession that runs through the streets of Sutamarchán, carrying the image of the Virgin on decorated litters, while attendees participate with prayers and songs.
Throughout the festivities, the municipality is filled with cultural and recreational activities. Parades of floats and troupes, presentations of music and folk dances and the traditional peasant market are organized that gives all Sutamarchenses and visitors the opportunity to purchase fresh locally grown products such as curuba, gulupa, potatoes, corn and beans.
These festivals, in addition to their religious component, are an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the region's farmers, strengthening the sense of community and promoting local cultural identity.
