Mexicans embrace Day of the Dead spectacle in place of Halloween

[Judi Lynn]

Inspired by a James Bond parade scene, festivities including La Catrina are taking over from the once-popular trick or treat

David Agren in Mexico City
@el_reportero
Tuesday 31 October 2017 01.00 EDT

Paul del Castillo strolled down Mexico City’s grand Paseo de la Reforma dressed in a tuxedo and top hat. His wife, Fabiola Martínez, wore a wedding dress. Both had their faces painted as skulls.

Castillo, who runs a small shop, said that he used to celebrate Halloween. But this year the couple plunged into the festivities to mark the Day of the Dead, which in Mexico’s main cities is incorporating the fun of Halloween – and trading solemn ceremony and private introspection for partying and public spectacle.

“I like Halloween. But I like our Mexican culture, our Mexican traditions better,” said Del Castillo. “This is reviving a Mexican cultural tradition. And it’s displacing Halloween.”

Until recently, some Mexicans fretted that the imported celebration of Halloween would overshadow the Day of the Dead. But the Mexican festival has proved remarkably resilient.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/31/mexicans-embrace-day-of-the-dead-spectacle-in-place-of-halloween

[Judi Lynn]

1. Day of the Dead: Thousands take to Mexico City streets to celebrate festival

Festivities include tributes to victims of earthquakes in September that left almost 500 people dead
Ben Kentish @BenKentish 8 hours ago

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Mexico City to celebrate Dia de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead.

Mexicans dressed up and paraded decorated procession floats for the festivities, which take place every year between 31 October and 2 November.

Local media reported that around 300,000 people attended the celebrations – up from 200,000 last year.

Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of the lives of friends and family who have died. This year, those honoured included the people who lost their lives in the devastating earthquakes that hit Mexico in September. Two quakes two weeks apart left almost 500 people dead, including 228 in Mexico City alone.

More:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/day-of-the-dead-mexico-city-parade-dia-los-muertos-festival-tradition-halloween-a8027636.html

[dem in texas]

2. Daughter is going down to Mexico in the Morning

She and her husband have a house in San Miguel de Allende that needs some attention, so they are tying a trip down so they can be there for Day of the Dead celebrations. She promised lots of pictures.

[MFM008]

3. I thought it was Nov 2

???

[fierywoman]

4. I believe it's both the first and second of November.

[niyad]

5. one of our local galleries has a wonderful day of the dead party each year.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Good for human relations. Events like that only add warmth and respect to local populations

when they get to meet, see, mingle with others from other cultures, heritages, experiences.