Facepaint sports superfans: EL CHASQUI BOLIVIANO

Real name:	Daniel Aliaga Forgues
Birth date:	4th June 1968
Profession:	Lawyer
Location:	La Paz (Bolivia)
Supported Team:	Bolivia's national soccer team.

The first entry of this blog is dedicated to Daniel Aliaga Forgues, aka "El Chasqui Boliviano" from Bolivia.

As you can see his outfit is the one of a bolivian chasqui. He also wears a hat which holds a flag of Bolivia and he usually sports a flag facepaint of his country.

Chasquis, in the time of the incas, had the mission of delivering messages from one place to another. They had to travel really long distances on foot. They were really fit and were almost tireless.

This superfan is the most passionate person you will find in Bolivia. Daniel really ADORES his country and, of course, its national soccer football team of which he is the ultimate fan.

El Chasqui became Bolivia's most known soccer fan in the country in his early twenties, back in the 90's.

Being his own motto "Wherever my people is, there I am" he supported his football team in World CUP USA 94. Apart from this, he followed his team throughout the years to so many places he almost travelled 200.000 kilometres. He's practically visited every big country in America and he's an embassador of Bolivia wherever he goes.

Now he's in his fifties he's still really active. He released the autobiographical book "Sueña y volarás" (we could translate it to: "Let yourself dream, and you will fly away") a book I have the pleasure to own and that he himself dedicated to me (gracias, tocayo) in which he explains all his travels and adventures as a follower of Bolivia's soccer national team.

Daniel has been super kind to be interviewed for this blog. This is what he said about how flag facepainting has helped him become the fan he is :)

How was the first time you painted your face?
It was terrible. I used paint meant for clothes and my face got a very bad sunburn. Later, I got quality paints from New York. I was 25 years old.

El Chasqui's first flag facepaint

What brand of paint do you use?
I’ve tested a lot of brands all these years and I finally stay with Mehron greasepaint. Green has an excellent consistency, it spreads on your face like butter. Red is rougher and less smooth and so yellow is. Still, they are the best and I will never change them. They stay there even when you sweat.

I’ve noticed you don’t paint your ears or lips…
No, I just paint my face. I don’t paint my lips because in every match I’m constantly screaming, eating, running so the paint would go away from there.

I consider that someone that constantly wears facepaint at events can be considered a consecrated fan. You must have painted your face for at least a hundred times…
Sure! …though I never counted the times. When I am in front of the mirror I sometimes remember moments I will never forget of me painting myself inside the planes before landing to other countries together with my Bolivian soccer team.

How did you create “El Chasqui”?

I used to paint my face as a supporter of the Bolívar soccer team. It was by then when the idea of creating a character for my country came to my mind. I was the only one doing it. Once the character was created, I tried to travel to every corner of my country, showing the cultural diversity.

What is the reaction of people when they see “El Chasqui”?

People react positively and I always say “yes” when they want to take a picture with me. In 25 years being “El Chasqui” I’d say that around 20 weren’t really nice to me. If you realise, that’s not really significant compared to the people who is supportive.

How does it feel to be "El Chasqui"? All Bolivia knows who you are...

To be “El Chasqui” or a well-known supporter is a privilege. Each one has to find his own way to enjoy himself. We come here to be happy and if you can also make people happy for free, that’s really rewarding. The moment you are a superfan is yours and you are really making the difference, if you understand me.

Would you ever paint another flag on your face different from Bolivia?
I assure you that that will never happen. In my country I am known as “El patriota” (the patriot).

What does "El Chasqui " do out of the soccer field?
I work giving job plans to people in the world through marketing networks. I am also a lawyer and work in a legal cabinet at La Paz.

Could you give a piece of advice to our readers?
The most important thing is not to expect anything from anyone, to live in a calm way and do exactly what you want to do.

Below you can see many photos of him, wearing his facepaint in different ways.