MEXICO CITY.— With a dance by catrina rumberas and catrines pachucos, with marimba music, capital authorities announced yesterday the preparations for the Great Day of the Dead Parade on Paseo de la Reformascheduled for November 2, starting at 2 p.m.
The details of the parade, and other activities for the celebrations of the dead, were announced at the Museum of Mexico City, in a festive atmosphere, led by the head of Government, Clara Brugada, accompanied by the heads of the Secretariats of Culture and Tourism, Ana Francis López and Alejandra Frausto, respectively, and the producer of the mega procession of catrinas and catrines, Jessica Esquivias.
Nighttime costume bike ride
Clara Brugada He detailed that the celebrations will begin on Saturday, October 26, with the night costume bike ride; They will continue with the mega procession of catrinas and catrines, on Sunday the 27th.
Day of the Dead 2024 in CDMX: parade, route, catrinas, monumental offering
The lighting of the celebration-themed lighting and the inauguration of the monumental offering in the Zócalo it will be October 30; and the Great Day of the Dead parade, November 2, starting at 2:00 p.m.
The The route of the tour will begin at the Lions Gate, in Chapultepec, it will advance through Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Juárez and Cinco de mayo to culminate in the Zócalo.
Catrinas Procession 2024
The Catrinas 2024 procession will take place on October 27 starting at 6:30 p.m.. The tour route will begin in El Ángel of Independence and will culminate in the Zócalo of Mexico City.
For this celebration it is already tradition that the people attending They are characterized as Catrinas or Catrines.
In the surroundings of the Angel there will be tents from 9:30 a.m. where they will be makeup artists that will “encatrinate” whoever wants it.
This year at least 13,600 people will participate in the 37 thematic contingents.
La Catrina is a character created by the painterillustrator and caricaturist José Guadalupe Posada (Aguascalientes, 1852).
Posada created it as a social criticism of the bourgeoisie, hence the luxurious outfits with which the skeletons dress.
Its original name was the Calavera Garbancera, a term that was used to refer to people who denied their indigenous roots and imitated European fashion.
Alebrijes exhibition
Los alebrijes —magical beings formed with parts of different animals, such as a donkey with wings, a cat with the body of a frog— emerged from the feverish dreams, almost on the verge of death, of the cardboard artisan Pedro Linares López (Mexico City, 1906).
Accustomed to masterfully working with cardboard, upon regaining consciousness, he began to make his first alebrijes.
The rest is history. Today, these colorful figures are one of the most emblematic crafts in Mexico.
A parade of giant versions of alebrijes inaugurated the Day of the Dead season in Mexico City.
The tour of the monumental figures, which took place on October 19, began in the Zócalo and culminated in the Paseo de la Reforma. However, it will still be possible to see them.
Reforma Avenue, between the Angel of Independence and Diana Cazadora roundabouts, will host a public exhibition of 200 alebrijes from October 19 to November 3.
How many will enjoy it?
“So we calculate that 7 million people will experience it. And we are going very far in terms of citizen participation these days,” he expressed. Clara Brugada, head of Government, who took advantage of her speech to invite the capital’s families to set up offerings in their homes.
He said that his administration’s commitment for these dates is that the tradition of honoring the deceased expands again throughout the city, and is not concentrated only in the downtown area.
“Today we have centrally, with great success, the parades, the mega procession, the large events in the center of the city, but let’s stop being a city that brings everything together in the center and let’s also go to other areas; “That implies more resources, more support, more calls, but we have to do it, we have to ensure that at least next year we have large cultural events in five mayor’s offices that allow us to celebrate the dead.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Tourism said that an economic benefit of more than 2 billion pesos is estimated for the Day of the Dead celebrations. More than 80% of hotel occupancy in the capital in general has already been registered, he said.
Related
#parade #catrinas #route #dates #schedule #monumental #offering
**Interview with Jessica Esquivias, Producer of the Great Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City**
**Interviewer:** Today, we have Jessica Esquivias with us, the producer of the upcoming Great Day of the Dead Parade set to take place in Mexico City. Jessica, can you tell us a bit about the preparations for the parade?
**Jessica Esquivias:** Thank you for having me! The preparations are in full swing. We’re working diligently to create a vibrant and memorable experience that honors our traditions. This year, the parade will feature about 13,600 participants in 37 thematic contingents, including our beloved catrinas and catrines, who are such iconic symbols of the Day of the Dead.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredible! How does this event reflect the cultural significance of the Day of the Dead in Mexico?
**Jessica Esquivias:** The Great Day of the Dead Parade is not just a celebration; it’s a profound cultural tribute. It brings together families and communities to remember and honor those who have passed. The vibrant costumes and lively music, like the marimba and the energetic dance of catrinas rumberas, are expressions of joy and remembrance. It’s a way for us to celebrate life and our loved ones, keeping their spirits alive in our traditions.
**Interviewer:** The parade on November 2 will kick off at 2 p.m. Can you walk us through the route and what attendees can expect?
**Jessica Esquivias:** Absolutely! The parade will start at the Lions Gate in Chapultepec and make its way through Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Juárez, and Cinco de Mayo, culminating in the Zócalo. Attendees can expect a visually stunning procession filled with colorful floats, traditional music, and live performances. It’s a feast for the senses!
**Interviewer:** Before the main parade, there are other activities, including a nighttime costume bike ride. Can you share more about that?
**Jessica Esquivias:** Yes! On October 26, we will kick off the celebrations with a nighttime costume bike ride, which is a wonderful way to engage the community and promote friendly festivities. Participants are encouraged to dress up and ride through the city, creating a beautiful and festive atmosphere at night. It’s a perfect precursor to get everyone excited for the main events!
**Interviewer:** And let’s not forget about the Catrinas procession on October 27!
**Jessica Esquivias:** Exactly! The Catrinas procession is one of our highlights. It starts at El Ángel of Independence at 6:30 p.m. and heads to the Zócalo. It’ll be a vibrant gathering where people can dress as catrinas or catrines. We’ll even have makeup artists on-site to help transform attendees into these iconic figures. It really embraces the spirit of the celebration.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing this insight, Jessica. It sounds like an exciting time for Mexico City!
**Jessica Esquivias:** Thank you! We are thrilled to share our vibrant traditions and look forward to welcoming everyone to join in the celebrations. Let’s honor the past together!
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a spectacular event! Can you share some details about the thematic contingents this year?
**Jessica Esquivias:** Certainly! Each of the 37 contingents will tell a unique story related to the Day of the Dead. For example, some will focus on the rich history of our indigenous cultures, while others will highlight famous figures from Mexican folklore. There will also be contingents dedicated to representing the significance of sugar skulls and the traditional offerings we prepare for our loved ones who have passed. Each group of participants is meticulously preparing their costumes and performances to ensure the parade is not only entertaining but also educational about our customs.
**Interviewer:** What role do the catrinas and catrines play in this celebration?
**Jessica Esquivias:** The catrinas and catrines are central to the Day of the Dead celebrations. They symbolize the blending of life and death in Mexican culture, reminding us that death is a part of life and should be embraced with joy rather than fear. Their elaborately dressed skeleton figures are a playful representation of the dead, reflecting the idea that our loved ones are always with us in spirit. During the parade, their dance, music, and vibrant presence add a festive atmosphere, making the event both respectful and joyful.
**Interviewer:** Outside of the parade, are there other events planned for the Day of the Dead celebrations?
**Jessica Esquivias:** Yes, there are numerous events taking place in Mexico City leading up to and during the Day of the Dead celebrations. For instance, the Catrinas Procession on October 27 is a highlight, where thousands dress up as catrinas and parade through the streets. Additionally, public exhibitions such as the alebrijes display on Reforma Avenue will run until November 3, showcasing these beautifully crafted and colorful figures. The entire city comes alive with cultural activities, workshops, and smaller gatherings throughout this time.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like it’s going to be an incredible experience for both locals and visitors!
**Jessica Esquivias:** Absolutely! We encourage everyone to come out and join in the celebrations. The Day of the Dead is a time for community, remembrance, and joy, and we are excited to share this beautiful tradition with everyone. It’s not just an event but a way to connect with our culture and with each other. We hope to see many families and friends participating in these vibrant festivities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much, Jessica, for sharing these insights about the Great Day of the Dead Parade and the surrounding celebrations. It sounds like a truly wonderful cultural experience!
**Jessica Esquivias:** Thank you for having me! We look forward to a vibrant celebration that honors our ancestors and brings everyone together.