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Festival Highlights
Narrative Altars
Altars are one of the strongest aspects of Noche de Altares festival. They are all very intimate structures constructed by families, learners, or community organizations. These altars are not only for decoration purposes, they are emotional centres where photos, offerings and representation of love and remembrance are present. One gets the impression that when one is walking through them one enters into dozens of personal histories, in which grief and joy go side by side. Lots of patrons always go annually to witness the transformation of these memorials as more voices and memories are bestowed to the legacy.
The Cultural Performances and Music
Through the day the atmosphere is charged with live music, folk rhythms and colorful dance. Folkloro ensembles revive centuries of movements with bright attire and the right use of feet. The artists who are known locally combine genres and languages which indicates the diversity of the society. All the performances contribute one more layer to the festival, telling the visitors that this is not a place where one is to reflect only but also to celebrate.
“We remember, so they live on.”
Art to all Ages
Having kids decorate their faces to making paper flowers, Noche de Altares is complete with fun activities in face-painting and paper flower-making to suit the kids and adults as well. There is also the presence of a variety of local artists in booths where people can express their creativity practically – one of the main components of respect to the dead and alive. Children go away with painted faces and a handcraft project, adults with a unique piece of art and a new understanding of the Mexican folk culture. The whole space is an open-air art space, where a community connects with creativity.
Food Which Binds Us
The aroma of pan dulce, tamales, and tacos floats down the streets with people walking the streets visiting altar to altar. The Noche de Altares festival makes use of local vendors and restaurants and their specialty is traditional Mexican food passed down throughout generations. Food plays an essential role in the process of remembrance during the Dia de los Muertos customs, and during the festival it is both food and tangible gift. No matter whether it is the taste of something you had never tried before, or the memory of the food you loved as a kid, the food establishes the bond between the families, cultures, and generations.
La Catrina and Photo Moments
Any trip to the festival cannot be complete without meeting La Catrina, the gorgeous figure of a skeleton that is nowadays considered to be a contemporary icon of Dia de los Muertos. The concept of Death that brought all of us together is based on the work of a Mexican illustrator by the name of Jose Guadalupe Posada creating the image of La Catrina. She is in costumes, murals, and more; even in person (as a photo opportunity) at Noche de Altares. Tourists even dress up and the streets are turned into a mobile traditional, satirical and fashionable parade.
A Living Tradition
Noche de Altares is growing every year, however, the heart has stayed the same. The best art of the festival, the music, the food, the art, even the altars, all contribute to that effective and healing experience. It is a place where public remembrance is a thing, art participatory and culture is shared. It is following these factors that the festival is not only memorable, but meaningful.
The stories
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