First-Ever “Day of the Dead” Parade in Mexico City

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) announced a new, multi-faceted campaign to bring tourists to Mexico during the annual Day of the Dead holiday that is celebrated all over the country. Encompassing both media and brand partnerships, MTB is also hosting an inaugural Day of the Dead Parade in the heart of Mexico City with the goal of drawing locals and tourists to experience this traditional holiday in a memorable way.

The Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos), an important festival in Mexico, celebrates the souls of departed loved ones. The traditions date back centuries, and origins of the festival can be traced back to Mesoamerican times when month-long celebrations were held.

“Día de Muertos, in various forms, has been an integral part of Mexican culture for centuries,” said Lourdes Berho, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. “The Mexico Tourism Board is thrilled to share time honoured rituals with the world with this initiative, and we invite everyone near and far to join us in celebrating our culture on this special holiday.”

Although traditions vary by regions, an integral theme of the festival is welcoming back the souls of lost loved ones. Family and friends of the departed decorate gravestones in bright flowers or build special altars in their home laid out with treats like sweets, liquor or gifts to entice souls back to earth for the day. The most iconic of these offerings are las calaveras, or the sugar skulls, decorated and engraved with the deceased’s name for the holiday.

The festivities are widely thought to be presided over by the goddess Mictecacíhuatl, wife of Mictlantecuhtli, Lord of the underworld. She is known as “Lady Death” or, more recently as “La Catrina”, a character created by artist José Guadalupe Posada. Her image has become a core part of celebrations across the country.

First-Ever Parade in Mexico City
On Saturday, October 29, Mexico City will host the first-ever Day of the Dead Parade, which will start at the Angel of Independence monument, go down Reforma, then towards the city center through 5 de Mayo Avenue. The parade route will showcase floats and costumed performers marching and dancing down the avenue, culminating in Mexico City’s iconic Zocalo square.

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Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/

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First-Ever “Day of the Dead” Parade in Mexico City

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