The national day in Chile. The independence that wasn´t.

The September 18, is celebrated in Chile the national day. Traditional party that expect to celebrate the begin of independence of own country. In these days, generally one week, the people do traditional plays like: raise kites and run tied with a partner. Also the people eat barbecue, “empanadas” and drink a lot of “terremotos”, earthquake , a kind of wine with  ice cream pineapple.

The people have holydays and a lot of them travel to the beach or countryside. Are very good and funny days to visit Chile.

But all these activities have somethings estranges for me.

The September 18 of 1810 (day that commemorated this dates), the creoles signed a document to take the politics power of Chile,  first government meeting,  but no for the begin of the independence, if not to keep this place at the Spanish kingdom,   because the King Fernando VII had been captured for Napoleon. The real independence of Chile only was signed the February 12 of 1818.

In the other hand, in these days, the most important events are the "Te Deum" Ecumenical and military parade. In the first, the most important persons go to the catholic ceremony, and the second, the September 19, day of Army glories, where the army of Chile shows his power, soldiers and arms.  Is this way, than Chile renews its commitment Catholic Church and his army, traditional pillar of the past.

The “nation” as concept, probably in Chile like any place in the world,   is used like a reason for the exploitation, in latinoamerica yet more. The “nation” hides the enormous diversity of languages, cultures and traditions. The nation in America is the mirror of the nation in Europe little say about us.

For me the September 18 is a celebration for stay with my family, for think about own roots, and the lot of blood spill to impose a nation,  that until today yet isn´t independent.