2012... Happy Solstice one and all.

south west | the environment | news report Friday December 21, 2012 14:05 by Keto

Locally, photo of this mornings Solstice at Stonehenge.

Globally, Evo Morales will mark the solstice by sailing across Lake Titicaca in one of the largest reed ships built in modern times.

According to the Mayan calendar, the 21 of December is the end of the non-time and the beginning of time," he told the UN in September. "It is the end of hatred and the beginning of love, the end of lies and beginning of truth."

The Bolivian government has hailed the solstice as the start of an age in which community and collectivity will prevail over capitalism and individuality. Those themes have long been present in Morales's discourse, especially in the idea of vivir bien, or living well. He has stressed the importance of a harmonious balance between human life and the planet, though some people question its application in Bolivia, where the economy depends heavily on mining, oil and gas industries.

Morales has attempted to shake off European cultural denomination, creating a vice ministry of decolonisation and celebrating Native American beliefs and customs.