Next week, Puerto Vallarta plans to erect the largest catrina in the world, measuring 25 meters, on the Malecon as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations this year.
“On the 27th [October] the catrina will be there and you can see it, in all this part of the boardwalk we already have all the palm trees sponsored by hotels, and businesses, who participate by buying and designing catrinas, we are also working with the altars, in coordination with the Vallarta Institute of Culture, so that tourists and locals who arrive can take away a great experience of our traditions,” says José Ludvig Estrada Virgen, director of Municipal Tourism and Economic Development, and in charge of planning Day of the Dead celebrations for the city.
The current record for the largest catrina in the world is in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco, with a height of 15 meters.
Last year, Puerto Vallarta displayed 20 catrinas along the Malecon, along with dozens of Altars that become the ‘must’ in Instagram photos for tourists and locals alike.
See the official guide and schedule of events for Día de Muertos 2022 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Read more
Puerto Vallarta’s “Día De Muertos” celebrations include, among many other activities, art exhibitions, folkloric ballet, a parade, mariachis, and an altar and catrinas contest, allowing locals and foreign tourists to experience the traditional celebration in honor of loved ones who have passed.
Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is considered the most representative tradition of Mexican culture and is from the Aztec culture that was popularized in much of Latin America.
In 2008 Unesco declared Día de Muertos as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of Mexico. In Brazil, there is a similar celebration known as Dia dos Finados, although this festivity does not have the same pre-Hispanic roots as the Day of the Dead.
Origin of the Day of the Dead
The origins of the celebration of the Day of the Dead in Mexico predate the arrival of the Spaniards. There is a record of celebrations in the Mexica, Maya, Purépecha, and Totonaca ethnic groups. The rituals that celebrate the life of the ancestors are carried out in these civilizations since pre-Columbian times. Among pre-Hispanic peoples, it was common practice to preserve the skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals that symbolized death and rebirth.
Day of the Dead for children
According to tradition, the deceased children are celebrated on November 1, and adults are celebrated on the 2nd. However, for the Catholic Church, day 2 is for everyone, since the 1st is the Feast of All Saints.
How is the Day of the Dead celebrated in Mexico?
The popular belief is that the souls of the loved ones who left us return from beyond the grave during the Day of the Dead. For this reason, they are received with an offering where they place their favorite food and drink, fruit, sweet calaveritas, and, if necessary, toys for the children.
A very important part of this tradition involves visiting the cemeteries. Either during the day or night, families come and place candles on graves as a way to illuminate the path of souls on their return home.
The tradition of the Day of the Dead in Mexico
Something inevitable at each dinner and offering is the delicious pan de muertos (bread of the dead). There are different styles and forms. The most popular are round, covered in white or red sugar, with strips that simulate bones.
The Aztecs devoted a whole month to this important celebration, which began at the beginning of August, but with the arrival of the Spaniards and the Hispanic traditions, the dates definitely changed.
As you will realize, the Day of the Dead is a rich Mexican tradition. Do not forget to take your children to visit the offerings and to know this beautiful celebration.
Next week, Puerto Vallarta plans to erect the largest catrina in the world, measuring 25 meters, on the Malecon as part of the Day . . .
