PARTY TIME ON EASTER ISLAND 30th Jan � 14th Feb 2009 The yearly Easter Island festival, Tapati Rapa Nui, began in 1975. Back then, it was a song and poetry festival organized to attract tourists. Today's far more sophisticated agenda features native dance, chant, and song, and competitions such as horse racing, woodcarving, fishing, traditional body decoration, a parade, and a �parade queen� contest. The festival has become so popular that it has now been extended into a two-week event, where little work gets done and the discos run until morning. http://www.islandheritage.org/vg/vg16.html

LATIN AMERICA�S ANSWER TO EUROVISION 23 � 28 February 2009 This year the Vi�a del Mar International Song Festival celebrates its 50th birthday. The festival brings in audiences from all over the continent, and is held on an open-air stage by the beach in front of crowds of screaming fans who transform Vina del Mar into one big beach party. The crowds are encouraged to cheer or boo accordingly and thus receiving praise is affectionately dubbed �taming the monster�. Shakira is known to have had her first big break here. The festival will commemorate its anniversary with a mixture of well known English, Latin American and Spanish artists, including Juanes, Simply Red, KC and the Sunshine Band and Roger Hodgson, among others.

www.festival2009.canal13.cl

PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE 10th February 2009 The Patagonia Expedition is an adventure race which covers various routes across the southernmost parts of South America, each year aiming to explore some of the most geographically diverse parts of the world. The 2009 race will cover around 600km and will begin in the South East area of the Southern Ice Field and will then head due South along the Chilean Coast until participants reach the Sea Cross at �the end of the world�. The race allows mixed teams of up to 4 members, and challenges participants to travel the distance with as little technical assistance as possible. Principal means of transport include: mountain biking, trekking, sea kayaking, orienteering, and rope activities. www.patagoniaexpeditionrace.com

W HOTEL OPENS IN SANTIAGO 1st March 2009

In March, Santiago will host the launch of the first South American property by W Hotels, the fastest growing luxury hotel chain in the world. The property, which is one of the tallest buildings in the capital, will offer an indulgent outdoor dining terrace plus a bar with views across the Andes, alongside a spa offering the very best in beauty treatments.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1979

INDEPENDENCE DAY: IT�S RODEO TIME! 18th September 2009

The fiestas patrias (literally "patriotic parties") are a time for all Chileans to gather together and celebrate their country, culture, and independence. Alongside parades, dances, and music, the traditional Chilean �huasos� or cowboys, take part in thrilling rodeos. The whole country, keen to display their national pride, can be seen attending local �medialuna� arenas to watch the poncho-clad huasos and to cheer their favourites during breathtaking displays of horsemanship � from traditional ranching skills like lassoing cattle to technically challenging feats of dressage. A uniquely Chilean experience.

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