Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
When Argentina’s Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis, Uruguay’s then President José Mujica didn’t attend the inauguration. “Uruguay is a totally secular country,” explained Mujica at the time. “There has been separation of church and state since the last century. Uruguay is different from the rest of Latin America regarding this. We have great respect, there is freedom of worship, but we are not believers.”
In Uruguay there is a strict separation of church and state, which dates from the end of the nineteenth century when young liberals were reportedly opting for the “pleasures of the countryside” rather than respecting religious holidays like Easter.
In 1886, a newspaper from Salto tutted over the hunting expeditions preferred by “young people in our society who care nothing for excommunication and other trifles”. Today Salto is a major Tourism Week destination for Uruguayans who at the first onset of autumn flock to the hotsprings there.
My grocer, a guy called Marcelo, takes one holiday a year – to go hunting during Tourism Week.
In 1909, under the influence of reformist President Jose Batlle y Ordonez, religious instruction in public schools was banned, and a complete separation of church and state was written into the 1917 Constitution, continuing to this day.
By 1919, all religious holidays were secularised.
Epiphany (January 6) became known as Childrens’ Day (it’s a day when in Catholic cultures children receive presents) and Easter as Tourism Week.
I can testify – everyone here refers to Easter as “la Semana de turismo”. It’s not a case of officious political correctness.
Photo: The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Iglesia del Cerrito) in Montevideo
Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
Is Uruguay a developed country? Harvard moves Latin America HQ to Uruguay
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Montevideo Carnival 2024 dates
Hot off the press! The world’s longest carnival is in Montevideo Uruguay and we’ve got the dates.
Salón No. 3 – La Barra gourmet cuisine, cafe & deli
Gourmet lunches, speciality coffee & pastries, out of an antiques store. Smoked hams, artisanal cheese & local produce from the Expendio.
Casa Flor – live the Uruguay coast like a local (VIP)
One of the very best hotels in Punta del Este. Casa Flor’s well-connected owners give you access to the secrets of Uruguay’s coast most can only dream of.
Uruguay offers new digital nomad residency
Digital nomads and remote workers can now obtain a residency permit to work legally from Uruguay for six to twelve months.
Big Bang Nature Stays – Bohemian beach domes
Unique ocean-front location to reconnect with nature—with luxury touches—on one of Uruguay’s most deserted beaches in Maldonado.
8% of Uruguay is black—and maybe more
Afro-Uruguayans play a huge part in Uruguay’s cultural identity. Are they really just 8% of the population? The new census may correct the stats.
Gaucho week in Montevideo – Easter
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
There’s been some confusion around whether it’s necessary to have health insurance to enter Uruguay since recent changes to travel requirements. We explain.
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Hot off the press! The world’s longest carnival is in Montevideo Uruguay and we’ve got the dates.
Afro-Uruguayans play a huge part in Uruguay’s cultural identity. Are they really just 8% of the population? The new census may correct the stats.
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
Beaches, classic car races and a bargain therapy session. We were delighted to get this email from one reader after his vacations in Uruguay.
The 1917 Constitution granted women the right to vote. Another Uruguay first. Though the story is of course more complicated.
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4 Responses
Hi, I’m planning to visit Uruguay for two weeks in April over Easter or tourism week. Is there anything that I should avoid doing over tourism week or anything that will be closed?
I’m planning to spend time in Montevideo and some time at an estancia, is there anything else that is especially good to do over tourism week?
I have both of your books and have found them very very helpful!
Hi Kelsey, that’s so great you’ll be here for two weeks and that you are finding the Guru’Guay guidebooks really helpful! Montevideo is pretty empty during Tourism week as you will have read in The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo so if you can plan to be here before or after that would be my recommendation. The estancias and beaches will be working pretty much as usual. So plan to hit an estancia and/or the beach during Tourism week. You will have seen the matrix for helping decide which estancia is for you in my Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay: Beaches, Ranches & Wine Country but if you need any further guidance, don’t hesitate to contact me on the Guru’Guay Facebook page. All the best Karen (PS I’d be really grateful if you’d like to review the guidebooks on Amazon. It really helps us get more readers. Cheers!)
Also Christmas is not technically Christmas but Family Day