Unlike other Latin American countries, the commemoration marks the first step toward national sovereignty rather than the culmination of the process, which occurred on February 12, 1818, a date that, in fact, goes almost unnoticed.

As part of the official observances, the Ecumenical Te Deum religious ceremony will take place at the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, presided over by Archbishop, Cardinal Fernando Chomali.

This religious service was exclusively Catholic until 1971, when, during President Salvador Allende’s government and under the leadership of Prelate Raul Silva, it was opened to other denominations.

Participants include the Orthodox, Anglican, Pentecostal, Baptist, Lutheran, and Methodist churches, as well as the Muslim and Jewish communities. These non-Christian congregations form part of Chilean identity.

The highest-ranking representatives of the three branches of government, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial, as well as authorities from the Santiago Metropolitan Region must attend the ceremony.

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