Mexico’s unique observances in remembrance of the dearly departed will encompass a variety of lively Dia de los Muertos happenings that get underway this weekend, continuing through November 2, All Souls Day.
Catrina Parades
The Chapala government sponsors the second annual Muestra de Catrinas, a community-wide display of larger-than-life Lady Death statues decorated by local artists, schools, businesses and organizations.
The exhibition opens October 24, 6 p.m. with a collection mounted along the waterfront Malecon. More of the lavishly outfitted figures will put on view Saturday, October 25, 6 p.m., at the Ajijic Plaza, Sunday, October 26, 8 p.m., at the San Antonio Plaza and Sunday, November 2, 8 p.m. at Atotonilquillo’s Templo de San Gaspar.
Life and Death Festival
Chapala’s Preparatoria Regional is organizing a four-day Festival de Vida y Muerte Festival, beginning Thursday, October 30, 6 p.m., with the reading of stories and legends set at the Malecon. A contest of original Calavera death poems that commonly poke fun at living public figures is set for Friday, October 31, 6 p.m., at the same location. A cultural program with live entertainment will be presented Saturday, November 1, 6 p.m., on the steps of the San Francisco parish. Activities on Sunday, November 2, will run all day long, with an exhibit of more than 90 memorial altars set up over two blocks at the south end of Avenida Madero, a gastronomic fair at the Malecon, 6 p.m., and a funeral parade in tribute to the missing students of Ayotzinapa running along the central thoroughfare from 8 p.m.
Altar Street Display
The traditional exhibition of Day of the Dead altars put on by neighbors of Chapala’s Calle Cinco de Mayo will be an all-day affair on Sunday, November 2. Visitors can observe householders and guest exhibitors go through the process of mounting the memorial offerings from early morning through mid-afternoon. Relaxed viewing of the finished displays is recommended before sundown when the big crowd of spectators starts to arrive.
A program of live music, dance and poetry readings will enhance the spectacle after night falls.
Local cemeteries are already coming to life as families begin to spruce up burial plots and prepare for gatherings held in memory of lost loved ones. With repairs finished, they will decorate tombs with coronas (memorial wreaths), candles, plants and floral arrangements.
Graveyard action
Throngs of visitors will turn up on November 1 to remember angelitos – the “little angels” who died in infancy – and again on November 2, the date dedicated to all those who died at a riper age. Folks hang out around the gravesites f
or some heartfelt festivity in honor of the cherished muertitos who rest six feet under, bringing plenty of food, drink and music to fuel the annual tribute to cherished relatives and friends who have passed on.
As graveyards turn into focal points of activity, vendors set up for business just outside the gates to hawk snacks and drinks, fresh flowers and other essential accoutrements for the occasion.
Similar goings-on will occur in virtually all other lakeshore towns. Ask around at local shops, government offices and neighbors’ households for full details.
Ajijic festivities
Ajijic’s unbridled Noche de Muertos festival takes place Sunday, November 2. The arrangement of memorial altars around the plaza and the elaboration of colored sawdust carpets on Calle Parroquia will be going on during the course of the day. Face painting for those dressing up for evening festivities will be available at the Manix Restaurant parking lot, Ocampo 57, 4 to 7 p.m.
Guided tours of the village Panteón (graveyard) are being offered at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m., with Vivian Michel providing bilingual commentary on Day of the Dead traditions. Tickets priced at 100 pesos are on sale at the Ajijic Centro Cultural at the plaza and the Efren González gallery, located at Marcos Castellanos 7, a half block below the church. Proceeds will support community and cultural projects.
The after dark Desfile de Noche parade sets off from the entrance of the cemetery at the west end of Ocampo, 7:30 p.m., heading straight to Seis Esquinas before jogging off to Hidalgo towards the plaza. Participants are requested to stick strictly to Mexican themes for their costumes and floats. A village dance with live music by Versatil Ajijic will crank up at the plaza shortly after the parade arrives.