Juliaca celebrates Virgen de la Merced with massive parades

Thousands of dancers and musicians gathered in Juliaca to celebrate the feast of the Virgen de la Merced. The festivities included a solemn mass at the La Merced temple, followed by a procession to Plaza Bolognesi and a large-scale cultural parade along Jirón Mariano Núñez.

The parade featured 44 different groups performing traditional dances in various costumes. Local authorities and organizers noted the massive attendance and the community's commitment to preserving these cultural customs.

During the celebrations, municipal security personnel (Serenazgo) provided assistance to more than 20 individuals found in the streets showing signs of excessive alcohol consumption. Security agents conducted preventive patrols to manage emergencies, transporting some individuals to health centers and others to their homes to ensure public safety during the festivities.