the label of LA VENDIMIA reminds me unpleasantly of mrs fishwick's pattern in 'charlie and lola' used to represent ZYGOTE SLAVERY....so that will have been used in programming, i am sure of it...and a trip to the festival....

now the rothschild family cloaked their vineyards in a very dark mythology....ashes of human bone, used as fertiliser/manure....all WICCA MAN type stuff....the 'sacrifice' to ensure a good new crop...that type of thing...a lot of superstition going on there....

anyway, i know that some of SP were to go to the festival - to find out what it was all about...i cannot remember which department as such...i have a vague recollection of them wanting to split up and visit different regions...which would have made them very vulnerable indeed to ill cult attack/abduction:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiesta_Nacional_de_la_Vendimia

Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia (The Grape Harvest Festival) takes place annually in the city of Mendoza, Mendoza Province, Argentina. It is one of the most important festivals in the country attracting large numbers of tourists to the region. It is a world renowned celebration of wine and the winemaking industry.
Each of the 18 departments in Mendoza Province prepare for the festival in the early months of the year. The main event occurs in the first week of March in Mendoza city featuring hundreds of dancers and performers, the selection of a "Reina Nacional de la Vendimia" (National Vendimia Queen) and a large firework display.

Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Departments 3 Programme of events 3.1 Benediction of the fruit 3.2 Vía Blanca de las Reinas 3.3 Carrusel Vendimial 3.4 Central act 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] History

The first vendimia celebrations in Mendoza Province occurred in the 17th Century, the first official Vendimia festival took place in 1936. Recently Mendoza's Vendimia ranked number two in National Geographic's Top 10 World's Harvest Festivals, after the Thanksgiving celebrations in Plimoth Plantation, Massachusetts.

[edit] Departments

Each of Mendoza's departments are represented at the festival:

Capital Department General Alvear Department Godoy Cruz Department Guaymallén Department Junín Department La Paz Department Las Heras Department Lavalle Department Luján de Cuyo Department

Maipú Department Malargüe Department Rivadavia Department San Carlos Department San Martín Department San Rafael Department Santa Rosa Department Tunuyán Department Tupungato Department

[edit] Programme of events

[edit] Benediction of the fruit

The Benediction of the fruit takes place on the last Sunday of February.

[edit] Vía Blanca de las Reinas

On the evening of the first Friday of March the prettiest women elected as Reinas (queens) from each department parade in alegoric chariots through the streets of Mendoza dressed in decorative outfits designed to celebrate the winemaking tradition and the character of their Departments. This event has been known to attract over 200,000 spectators.

[edit] Carrusel Vendimial

The Carrusel Vendimial takes place on the Saturday morning, it takes the form of a daylight parade, where the Reinas ride their chariots through the streets, accompanied formations of men dressed in Gaucho style outfits and riding horses, they are followed by dancers representing various provinces of Argentina and other Latin American Countries. This parade also attracts huge numbers of spectators.

[edit] Central act

The "Acto Central" takes place in the Frank Romero Day Greek theatre. It is an impressive spectacle of light and sound featuring over 100 performers and dancers. The show pays homenage to the "Virgen de la Carrodilla" and features traditional folklore music.
The finale of the show sees the election of the "Reina Nacional de la Vendimia" and a large firework display.