Mexico City, Nov 1 (EFE).- The most emblematic festivity of Mexico, the Day of the Dead, began this Friday at dawn in the picturesque neighborhood of Xochimilco, in the Mexican capital, where the traditional colors and smells of these dates are mixed in a special symbiosis with the placement of the altar of Saint Gregory.
The typical cempasúchil flowers, with their characteristic orange touch, flood the cemetery of San Gregorio de Atlapulco, where the community gathers since Thursday afternoon to remember and honor their loved ones between music, songs, sweets such as bread of the dead or simply in reflective silence.
“We gather here in memory of my granddaughter, María de Jesús Flores Rosales, this child’s little sister,” José Luis Flores Ávila, who along with his grandson and the entire family has come to spend the night at the grave, told EFE. of the little girl, where they dedicate Mexican folklore songs to her.
The festivity began with a first day dedicated to the memory of the deceased children, before on the night of Friday the 1st to Saturday the 2nd it moved on to honor the elders, and that is why in this first phase it is common to listen to children’s songs or see toys on the altars.
“As long as we continue to remember them, they will never die, so we have been doing this small tribute, singing children’s songs, love songs for her and that is the reason why we are present,” Flores explained.
Hundreds of families gathered around the graves of their deceased, decorated for the occasion and cared for to the extreme, and from there tears and emotion were mixed with laughter and celebrations, generating a special atmosphere in which there was no shortage of food. nor the drink to get through the rigors of the night.
«We are going to continue cultivating this tradition like cultivating a seed so that the plant grows. And if we want it to continue producing, then we continue to give it our all, just as I used to meet with my grandparents, they made tamales, they made mole, now they are resting in this sacred pantheon and now I am the one who comes to remember them,” Flores added. , an example of how tradition passes from generation to generation.
The best-known Mexican holiday
It is undoubtedly the most internationally known Mexican celebration, as witnessed by the success of films like ‘Coco’, and for many nationals it is also the most important and beautiful day of the year, as is the case of Christopher Barrientos.
“For me it is a very important date because we meet again with our loved ones, whether family, as you can see (points to the grave of his brothers), with our pets who have become family for many, for friends,” Barrientos shared.
He has come with his sister to honor his brothers that he never met and tomorrow he will come to do the same with his grandparents, a tradition that was instilled in him since he was little.
“Well, my father came to clean with me every year since I can remember, and it was my responsibility to come clean because clearly I want it to be presentable, I want it to be something nice, not just this date, but all year long,” Barrientos said.
For Christopher, this is a tradition that, unlike what happens in other countries, in Mexico is still very alive and very present.
“I believe that it is a very established tradition and that we should pass it on to our children, to our grandchildren, because that should not die, since clearly we cannot forget our loved ones,” Barrientos stressed.
And as in Xochimilco, events like this multiply everywhere throughout the Mexican territory, in each region, each city and even each neighborhood, in their own traditional way and form, but with the same background, that the memory of their ancestors do not fall into oblivion.
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**Interview with José Luis Flores Ávila: Honoring Tradition on the Day of the Dead**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, José Luis. Can you share with us what the Day of the Dead means to you and your family?
**José Luis Flores Ávila:** Thank you for having me. The Day of the Dead is profoundly significant to my family and me. It’s a time when we gather to honor our loved ones who have passed away, especially my granddaughter, María de Jesús. We sing her favorite songs and make a small altar for her. It keeps her memory alive in our hearts.
**Interviewer:** I understand the celebration includes various elements like music, food, and flowers. How do these traditions enhance the experience of honoring your loved ones?
**José Luis Flores Ávila:** Yes, the traditional cempasúchil flowers create a beautiful atmosphere, and the music brings warmth to our memories. We share food—like “bread of the dead” and tamales—making it a communal experience. It’s more than just remembrance; it’s a celebration of life, weaving our joy and sorrow together.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that this tradition has been passed down through generations. How do you ensure that younger family members appreciate and continue it?
**José Luis Flores Ávila:** It’s essential to involve them from a young age, just like my grandparents did with me. We teach them the significance of the rituals and let them help prepare the altar. This hands-on experience makes it personal and helps them understand the importance of these traditions.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a powerful way to keep memories alive. What do you hope for the future of this custom in Mexican culture?
**José Luis Flores Ávila:** I hope to see it flourish, like a seed that grows into a strong plant. As long as we continue to gather and remember, our loved ones will always remain part of our lives. It’s our duty to keep the flame of this tradition alive for future generations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, José Luis, for sharing your heartfelt experiences with us. It’s beautiful to see how traditions like the Day of the Dead continue to shape family bonds and memories in Mexico.
**José Luis Flores Ávila:** Thank you for listening. This celebration is a part of who we are, and I hope more people can appreciate its beauty.
