(Every other year, in April)

The Jesuit Missions, considered one of Bolivia’s and the world’s greatest cultural treasures (UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage of Mankind) are located in the Chiquitania, a tropical region northeast of the city of Santa Cruz.

The areas around the missions are inhabited by the guarayo and chiquitano Indians, who were colonized by the Spaniards and then organized into communities by Jesuit missionaries from Bavaria, Bohemia and Switzerland between 1720 and 1760. Jesuits brought architects and sculptors to build the churches and also musicians.

This festival takes place in the Jesuit Missions’ towns and in the city of Santa Cruz celebrating the wealth of sacred music written by European and indigenous composers in the 17th Century. Groups from all over the world participate during 10 days in concerts and choral presentations. Musical fever has caught on in one of the poorest regions of the continent. What takes place in the Missions with indigenous communities, preserving and reviving musical traditions, is unique in the world.

Duration 10 days