Día de Muertos en la Ciudad de México: arte, tradición y fiesta
A few years ago I had to be in Italy on November 2, I left the apartment that morning and everything was closed, when they asked me they told me clearly “Oggi è festa” (Today is a holiday); I promptly asked where the party was and they laughed at me answering “What party? It is Day of the Dead” and added “Don’t you have a party on this day in Mexico?” It was at that precise moment that I understood how wonderful the traditions of my country are.
And yes, we know that in our country we celebrate death as it deserves; that is why every November 2 we remember and invoke it; we dance, eat and drink with it; and we even laugh at his ribs. For this year, the Day of the Dead in Mexico City will have an even bigger celebration than in previous years. It runs from October 29 to November 2 and during those days there will be a series of activities dedicated to exalting and preserving the tradition of the Day of the Dead.
Since pre-Hispanic times in this country, death has been worshiped, of course it was then without religious overtones. With the arrival of the conquerors, the Day of the Dead merged with the Catholic celebrations of the Day of the Faithful Dead and All Saints.
The Day of the Dead in Mexico is a unique celebration in the world, which gave it the honor of being named by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, a distinction awarded on November 7, 2003.
Day of the Dead in Mexico City: art, tradition and party.
As a start, it is known that the artist Betsabeé Romero, in collaboration with the groups from the Oriente Arts and Crafts Factory (Faro), will be in charge of assembling the monumental offering on the Zócalo plate.
In addition, there is great expectation for the opening parade, which paints to be spectacular and much better than the one mounted by the filming of Specter, by James Bond. Although not many details are known about this parade, it is known that it will be on Saturday October 29 through the main streets of the city center. It has also been announced that it will last approximately 3 hours and that colorful alebrijes, stick figures, huge and dancing skulls will participate, as well as live music with wind bands, percussions and strings.
It is said that the planned route will be from the Angel of Independence, following Reforma, Juárez, Tacuba, Bolívar and 5 de Mayo, to reach the Zócalo and conclude the route in Pino Suárez. But the time it will start and the precise route have not been disclosed.
The theme of the parade will be divided into three parts. The first will be dedicated to the pre-Hispanic era and the origins of this cult; the second to the Conquest and Baroque Mexico; and the third to the hydro-warm artist José Guadalupe Posada, recognized worldwide for his illustrations related to death and who is also the author of the famous Catrina.
That same day (October 29), but at night the “Night of the Dead by Bicycle” will be held again. Your route will be 18 kilometers through the Historic Center and will end in the Chapultepec Forest.
Finally, I would like to mention that on those same dates there will be a large number of activities, such as costume contests, bread and chocolate, concerts, theater, pantomime and clowns, puppets and much more. And let’s not forget that museums, businesses and galleries usually put together their offerings on November 2, which are also worth visiting. You can not miss the day of the dead in Mexico City , it will undoubtedly be a great party full of art and tradition. Some hotels will have the best views, such as El Gran Hotel de México , you can stay or have a delicious dinner on their terrace while watching all the activities.
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