KANNAWIDAN: THE ILOCOS FESTIVAL

The Kannawidan Festival is celebrated every year at the month of January at the 28^th day until February 03. The week-long Kannawidan Ylocos Festival which celebrates the 193^rd anniversary of the founding of Ilocos Sur kicks off today with a string of activities expected to draw thousands of domestic and foreign tourists. Kannawidan festival, which is now on its fourth year, will run until February 6 and succeeds the overwhelming success of  the City’s Longganisa Festival from January 16 to 31.

This kannawidan Ylocos Festival became an annual festival that aims to create awareness on the preservation of the province rich cultural heritage, practices and traditions, and a showcase of the different agriculture and industry products. This Kannawidan Festival is very significant to every resident in the province as we are celebrating the foundation of Ilocos Sur as a province by virtue of the Royal Decree signed on February 2, 1818.

 Kannawidan opened with a celebration of mass at the St. Paul Cathedral and a town procession of the patron saints of all the towns of  Ilocos Sur. The Capitol of the Province in Vigan City was decorated with woven baskets, makeshift bahay kubo and kalesa. Lanterns were hung from trees and posts around the plaza in front of the Provincial Capitol.