狂歡，以圣母的名義

Acts of faith have been a part of the human culture since societies were formed. The need to believe and get hope from divine forces is a part of many lives. Festivals around the world are dedicated to that， and draw millions to participate in their celebrations to the god they worship.

In Quillacollo， Bolivia， a demonstration of such faith and devotion takes place every August; three days of street dancing with the most colorful costumes， a 1)pilgrimage， early morning Masses， and rituals honoring their 2)saint. This devout celebration is called Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupi?a.

自從人類社會誕生以來，表達信仰的行動一直都是人類文化的一個組成部分。在許多人的生活當(dāng)中，相信神的力量，并從中獲取希望是不可缺少的。世界各地的多個節(jié)日也因此而誕生，吸引無數(shù)的人共同贊美他們敬奉的神明。

在玻利維亞的基亞科約，每年八月里有三天時間，人們身穿最絢麗的服裝在大街上盡情地歌舞，走一次朝圣之旅，在清早做彌撒，為他們的神明舉行各種儀式。人們對信仰的虔誠和對神明的熱情都在此時表露無遺。這個虔誠的宗教活動正是圣母節(jié)。

of land are sold in a symbolic ceremony. Buying the land and placing the miniatures are another way of asking the Virgin to grant their wishes.

Another symbolic act is hammering the rocks of this sacred hill. The stones represent money. The size of the wish is related to the size of the rock being carved. If the wish is granted， it is customary to return the stone the following year.

At the end of the festival the Virgin of Urkupi?a will go to rest back in the church for a whole year. Next year more requests will be asked and more rocks will be carved on the hill. With the Urkupi?a Virgin as an inspiration， perhaps many stones will be returned after those wishes come true. Here in Quillacollo， Bolivia， where hopes and faith are so deeply expressed， anything is possible.

行的一個象征性儀式上，小塊小塊的地被賣出。買地和把迷你模型放到山上都是請求圣母達成他們愿望的另一種方式。還有一種象征性的舉動是錘打這座神圣小山上的石頭。這些石頭代表錢財，人們愿望的大小與這些石頭的大小有關(guān)。如果他們的愿望得以實現(xiàn)，按慣例，他們要在下一年把這些石頭帶回來。

到了節(jié)日的最后，圣母像會回到教堂里休息整整一年。到了明年，人們會向她提更多的要求，山上會有更多的石頭被砸開。有了圣母作為人們生活的動力，也許在眾人愿望成真后，會有許許多多的

石頭被帶回來。在玻利維亞的基亞科約，人們以如此強烈

的方式來表達他們的希望和信仰，一切皆有可能。翻譯：Portia