Quito turns 479 years of Foundation

A day like today, 479 years ago, the Spanish conquistador, Juan de Benalcázar confirmed and executed the founding of San Francisco de Quito on the ruins left by General Rumiñahui.

To pay tribute to this city, the Municipality of Quito and other private organizations have organized several activities to celebrate the festivities of this capital city. One of the main attractions is the traditional “chiva;” to the point that many people ensure that a festival without the Chiva, are not a real celebration.

These wooden trucks dressed festively circulate, as every year, across the streets of Quito to the sound of reggaeton, salsa, or maybe electronic music. The people who most enjoy this kind of celebrations in the Chiva are office workers and college students.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the municipal authorities and the competition from  the new party buses called “chivatekas,” this year, 42 chivas were granted with the municipal permit to operate. All the ‘chivas’ forbid their customers to climb to the top of the vehicle in order to prevent accidents. The sale of alcoholic beverages is also forbidden.