Fiestas Patrias: A Time to Celebrate – And Reflect on Our Choices

In Chile, September 18th is celebrated with great enthusiasm as Fiestas Patrias, a week-long festival marking the nation’s independence. This period is filled with vibrant gatherings, traditional music, and a huge variety of culinary delights. One of the most cherished aspects of these celebrations is the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. However, it’s also important to address the ethical and environmental concerns associated with some traditional practices.

A central feature of Fiestas Patrias is the spotlight on meat consumption. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, media coverage showcases various traditional dishes featuring cuts of beef. For many, including former meat-eaters like myself, the intense focus on meat can be overwhelming. Beyond personal preferences, there are significant environmental and ethical concerns associated with such consumption.

Meat production has a notable environmental footprint, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and substantial water usage.

Traditional events such as rodeos and “carreras a la chilena” (Chilean-style horse races) also bring up ethical concerns. These rodeos often involve rough handling of animals, with practices that can cause distress and suffering for the sake of entertainment. This raises critical questions about animal welfare and the ethics of such traditions.

Moreover, the extended nature of Fiestas Patrias frequently results in a rise in accidents and fatalities. Increased alcohol consumption and heightened road traffic contribute to a higher incidence of accidents, overshadowing the festive spirit with unfortunate consequences.

Despite these concerns, the heart of Fiestas Patrias is its role as a time for togetherness and celebration with loved ones. It is possible to enjoy the festivities without succumbing to excess. By focusing on meaningful interactions with family and friends and adopting a more mindful approach to consumption, we can celebrate in a way that honors our traditions while being considerate of our impact on the environment and animal welfare.

We can celebrate with other types of food, like grilled zucchini, mushrooms, and other vegetables that are super tasty in a barbecue, and replace meat with plant-based burgers or sausages. Also, we can add all the different salads our creativity can create, side dishes, and diverse preparations that we can imagine, the sky is the limit. There are a lot of options with desserts as well, like delicious fruits,  and regarding alcohol, always consume responsibly.

As we celebrate Chile’s independence, let’s reflect on how we can make Fiestas Patrias a time of joy. That aligns with our values and our commitment to a responsible celebration not only for ourselves, and the people we love but for the animals and the environment too.