Mil Tambores is a three-day festival held in various locations in Valparaíso, Chile celebrating percussion music, culture, and art. Over 1,500 artists perform for 50,000 people across drum bands, dancers, body painting, and more. The festival aims to showcase the diversity of South American talent and bring business to local communities. It culminates at the grand finale on Playa San Mateo Beach, where drum bands play for hours and attendees enjoy food, swimming, and soaking in the vibrant festive atmosphere.

1. If you like beautiful weather,drumbands, andtohave fun, the Mil TamboresFestival isthe place for
you!
Drum bands,dancers,costumes,brightcolorsandbodypaint withsunnyskiesandwarmweather,the
atmosphere washappyall round. AsI enteredthe festival,Iheardbigdrumsand small drums,African
drumsand band drums. Evenif youdon’tdance,you will findyourbodybumpingtothe beat.
In Valparaíso,one of the biggest festivals iscalledMilTambores, whichtranslatesintoathousand
drums,and if youwere here,youwouldhearandsee why!Mil Tamboresis celebratedforthe loud
soundof percussion,bringingdiversityandculture,andbodypainting. There were over1,500 artists
performingfor50,000 people. There were many fantasticdrumbandsfromall overthe country
performinginthis parade.Withsome of the drumbands were dancersdressedincolorful and much
decoratedcostumes. A huge Valparaísothemedpoetry competition tookplace andthe winnerwas
recognizedfortheirpoetictalents. Forme, one of the most fun activitieswas bodypainting.Some
womenwere paintedwithjustpantiesonwhilethe majoritieswere paintedwithswimsuitson.The
mostartisticbody paintwonrecognition. IwassuperexcitedbecauseIlove topaintandI got to paint
my friends. There were manyfunactivitiestoenjoyinbeautiful weather.
Valparaísoisfull of culture,diversity,andartsand itis veryproudto representthat.Mil Tamboreshas
beencelebratedfor15years celebratingthe varietyof artistictalentsof SouthAmerica.Peoplefromall
overthe country andother countries come toperformor justenjoythe atmosphere. Mil Tamboreswas
startedin1999 as the people of Valparaísowantedtomake more use of theirpublicplaces. Now,itis
the largestcityfestival inChile costing60 millionUSdollars.
Mil Tamboresinvolvesmanybeautiful hillsandbeachesin Valparaísowhere some fromothercities
people campedinatentfor nights. Thisfestival goesonfor3 daysin all differentplaces.One of the
eventsIwentforthe festival was inthe hillsthatwere destructedbyagreat fire inApril 12-14, 2014.
Thisbroughtawarenesstothe povertythat strucksome people withthe aftermath andthe
reconstructionefforts.Thiswasagreatplace to have one of the drummingeventsasitbroughtbusiness
to the community. Differentbeacheswere popularplacesforthe events. One night,therewasadrum
bandeventat PlayaAnchaBeach, where peoplestayeduntildawn withfriendsenjoyingthemselves.
The grand finale of the festival wasat PlayaSanMateo Beach,where there wasdrumbands forhours,
dancersand performersinavarietyof stylish andvibrantcostumes,family andfriendsenjoying
barbequedfood, bodypainting,sunbathing, swimmingpicnicking, andsummerdrinks. Thisevent
broughtValparaíso’senvironmentandChileansfromall overinmanybeautifulplaces. Ilovedthis
festival becauseyoucouldnothelpbutbe so happyinsuch a vivaciousatmosphere.