Footage filmed by Viory on Friday, January 30, shows hundreds of dancers performing in brightly coloured, hand-embroidered costumes, accompanied by folkloric music and traditional choreography. Masks, percussion and elaborate outfits reflect ancestral beliefs and customs passed down through generations across the Andean region.

Local authorities highlight the festival’s role in preserving a shared cultural heritage that predates modern national borders. The traditions on display blend influences from what are now Chile, Bolivia and Peru, underscoring a common Andean worldview rooted in history , spirituality and community life.

First held officially in 2003, the carnival takes its name from the desert sun and the Andean sun god, a symbol of life and renewal. Today, it is recognised not only as a major tourist attraction but also as an important space for intercultural exchange and regional identity in northern Chile.

The display includes embroideries created by 200 artisans from all 32 federal entities, using a wide range of techniques such as cross stitch, drawn thread and pedal loom weaving. Each piece incorporates multiple colours and reflects both ancestral and contemporary textile traditions.

Every state contributed designs linked to local identity, from urban symbols like the Mexico City metro, axolotls and lucha libre masks, to animals regarded as sacred by indigenous communities in regions such as Nayarit.

Guinness World Records validated the exhibition as a first-of-its-kind achievement, confirming that it met all criteria before awarding the title. Organisers said the recognition gives the initiative international visibility, and authorities are considering preserving the entire collection as a single permanent installation at the cultural complex.