An impressive carnaval parade formed by 28.000 dancers and 10.000 musicians in the city of Oruro in Bolivia. It’s a annual 10-day lasting event that over 400.000 spectators get to see each year. But beyond the music and traditional dances lies something deeper. “Carnaval is not just about dancing, it involves a lot of rituals and myths. This goes back to the way of life of the Andean people”, says Bolivian dancer Ana Gabriela Romero Saracho.

For Ana, carnaval has been part of her life since she was six. Her grandmother hand-stitched her first red dress when she participated for the first time 23 years ago. For many Bolivian families, this festival is the highlight of the year. It’s a time to spend time with each other and to connect to their roots. The parade is a blend of indigenous and Catholic traditions, telling stories of both ancient Andean beliefs and Spanish influences.

Carnaval is also a special time for dancer Nathalie Barrios Herbas. “The powerful energy and atmosphere that is created by the thousands of dancers is incredible.” She has been dancing the carnaval for four years now, but her connection runs deeper. Nathalie’s grandfather played a key role in getting Oruro’s carnaval recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage event in 2001. What impact has that status had on the festival?

And then, there’s the dancing itself. Hours of dancing, wearing heavy costumes, and sometimes even dancing on 10cm high heels. How do the dancers prepare for this? And what keeps them going for five hours straight? Watch the full interview above to find out.

The Sound of Latin America
The interview was part of the second episode of the radio show The Sound of Latin America, which is a weekly radio show celebrating the beauty of Latin American culture. Each week we’ll dive into the richness of Latin American culture, including beautiful traditions, inspiring stories, and, of course, amazing music! Tune in, every Monday at 4 PM, to HUB radio!