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Original article: “Cuasimodo a otro modo”: Proponen mejorar la tradicional fiesta religiosa en Colina con bienestar animal e incorporar nuevas formas de celebración

«Faith Cannot Be Built on Suffering»: The Message from Colina Aiming to Enhance the Traditional Cuasimodo Festival

This is not a rebellion against popular religiosity, but an act of coherence with it. In Colina, home to the largest Cuasimodo celebration in Chile, a group of residents, alongside animal rights councilor Federico Koch, have launched a campaign for 2026 under the banner «Cuasimodo in Another Way». This proposal does not challenge the essence of the tradition, but rather its execution: the extensive use of horses during exhausting days in the sun with little hydration.

“Colina hosts Chile’s biggest celebration; therefore, we believe it can lead its transformation,” says Koch. “Faith cannot be built on animal suffering; it should also reflect respect and care for the most vulnerable.”

The campaign, driven by civic engagement rather than just institutional efforts, highlights recurring images each year: horses showing clear signs of exhaustion, overloaded with weight, lacking permanent veterinary supervision. In response, a list of concrete actions has been proposed, formally submitted via letters to the mayor, the presidential delegate, the archbishopric, and the cuasimodista groups, demanding veterinary teams on site, hydration points, real rest opportunities, and effective oversight.

Beyond Protection

However, the initiative extends beyond mere protection. It aims to open the festival to more inclusive, family-friendly, and participatory formats, such as the Cuasimodo on Bicycle, which has been successfully piloted in other municipalities, allowing participation from children, seniors, and those who do not ride horses, while also promoting a healthy lifestyle.

“Being the largest celebration, Colina has the chance to set a precedent,” asserts Koch. “It is possible to maintain the spirit of the tradition while moving towards a more conscious approach.”

During the upcoming Cuasimodo event, the councilor’s team will be on the ground monitoring and coordinating with authorities to address any incidents of abuse. The organization emphasizes: caring for animals is not just an ethical addition, but the deepest expression of the values that give faith its meaning.

Watch the video featuring the proposals:

La entrada Revamping Cuasimodo: Advocates Push for Animal Welfare and New Celebration Formats in Colina’s Traditional Religious Festival se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.