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The celebration of the Días de los muertos, between October 31st and November 2nd, is one of the most demonstration of the Mexican culture
Countless towns and sites in Mexico are home to fascinating and lively celebrations
The islands and villages of the Lake Pátzcuaro region, in the state of Michoacán, are home to some of the most impressive events in the country, mixing both Native American and European traditions
Tourist facilities in the area readily receive visitors to introduce them to their complex and impressive tradition
One of the most colourful and vibrant demonstration of the Mexican culture is almost at our doors. On November 2nd, the streets will be filled with elegant Catrinas, smiling candy skulls, golden cempazúchil flowers and all sorts of offerings to the deceased. Countless Mexicans will be visiting the graves of their friends and relatives, marking the celebration of the Día de los muertos.
On this occasion, countless towns and sites in Mexico are home to fascinating and lively celebrations. This month's newsletter invites you to discover the magic of a festival which is everything but sinister, an authentic celebration of life. Just like Mexico itself, the Día de los muertos is beyond your expectations.
Like a metaphor of Mexico, the celebration of the Day of the Dead comes as a syncretism between Indigenous and European influences. In fact, long before the arrival of the Spaniards in America, most Native peoples of present-day Mexico held ceremonies to honour the death of relatives and rivals. Some distinctive traits of these ancient cultures are still very visible today in the activities of the Day of the Dead, especially in the way death is seen not as the end of life, but as an integral part of it.
The Spaniards brought along Catholicism, which gave the festival a new name (Día de los muertos, or Día de todos los santos) and a fixed date, November 2nd. The traditions, however, remained to this date one of the most explicit examples of the religious syncretism of Mexico.
Most importantly, the Día de los muertos is not a sad event in itself, but rather an occasion to remember the deceased and celebrate their living presence in the spirits of their friends and relatives. |
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Strong images: the Día de los muertos in Mexican art
The powerful images and ideas associated with the Día de los muertos have been a continuous influence on many aspects of the Mexican culture, especially in popular arts. Great Mexican artists such as José Guadalupe Posada and Diego Rivera have abundantly exploited the theme in their work.
The character of La Catrina, initially created by printmaker Guadalupe Posada as a satirical depiction of the high society of the early 20th century, is now an integral part of the imagery of the Day of the Día de los muertos. This theme is exploited by countless artists and craftsmen who fill the streets every October with thousands of versions of the smiling skeletons dressed as grandes damas.
Aguascalientes, 500km north of Mexico City, was the hometown of Guadalupe Posada. Nowadays, visitors can enjoy an impressive collection of its works at the Museo José Guadalupe Posada.
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Día de los muertos activities and attractions in Michoacán: celebrations in the area of lago Pátzcuaro
The Día de los muertos is celebrated nationwide, and features many local variations. For those who enjoy travelling off the beaten path, one of the most fascinating experiences to be found is to join in the celebration in a traditional Native community in Michoacán.
Halfway between the beaches of Zihuatanejo (Guerrero) and Mexico City, the villages on the shores and on the islands of Lake Pátzcuaro (Michoacán) offer a completely different image of Mexico, where the mix of Native and European cultures is present at every turn.
On the Día de los muertos, the Purépecha Natives who live in the lake Pátzcuaro region put on was is considered one of the most authentic festival in Mexico, and have greatly contributed to the recognition of this holiday as Intangible World Heritage by the UNESCO.
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El Día de los muertos in the greater Mexico City area
For someone already in Mexico City, but without enough time to embark on a tour around Michoacán, some fascinating typical celebrations can be observed in some smaller towns in the immediate the surroundings of the city. Tepozotlán and Mixquic, in particular are renowned for their colourful and complex ceremonies, which include food and flower offerings as well as an overnight weakening in the cemetery.
Both are easily accessible, either by car o public transportation, and make for a perfect daytrip outside the bustle of the city.
Tepozotlán is located 41 km from Mexico City on the federal highway to Querétaro in the State of Estado de Mexico. Tepozotlán is famous because of its National Museum of El Virreinato, which is installed in a building of the 17th century. The Churrigueresque-style Church houses valuable treasures of colonial art, including golden ornaments of the main altar.
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Cancun named best destination in Central America and the Caribbean
The Cancún Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced that for the second time in five years, Cancún has received the World Travel Award for Best Destination in Central America and the Caribbean.
This important distinction was given during the 15th edition of this prize ceremony which celebrates the cream of the crop in the world travel industry.
This is the second time in five years that Cancún receives this important distinction.
The most popular resort destination in Mexico, and one of the most well-known in the world, Cancún enjoys a dynamic development, which allows it to maintain high standards and develop an unparalleled array of exciting attractions, ranging from scuba diving and snorkelling to Mayan ruins. The Cancún area also boasts some of the best designer golf courses in Mexico, fun-packed theme parks, and a legendary nightlife.
For more information about Cancún, please visit the following links:
http://www.visitmexico.com/cancun
http://cancun.travel/en/ |
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Escuinapa: Mexico's largest tourism project in 25 years
Mexican president Felipe Calderón presented on September 29th the most important tourism project in 25 years for the Pacific coast of Mexico.
The new resort project in Escuinapa (Sinaloa) will boast 12km of beaches and receive $500 million in public investment.
"It will become a national and international tourism hub on the Gulf of California. This resort on the Pacific will occupy double the surface of Cancún, and will be at the level of the main holiday destinations", Mr Calderón declared.
The new mega project is expected to create 78,000 direct and indirect jobs, and should receive around 3 million visitors a year by 2025.
This new development on the Pacific Coast will spread over 2,381ha (7 sq.mi.) Set in a area surrounded by the Sinaloa National Wetlands, the project will be carried according to the principles of sustainable development, and be respectful of the natural attractions.
The overall capacity of the new centre is estimated around 44,200 rooms: 33,200 in vacation accommodation, half of which will be comprised of condos, villas and apartments. About 5,500 homes will be dedicated to the local population. |
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The 8th edition of the Mexican Real Estate and Tourism Investment Convention (EMIIT) a great success
The 8th edition of this important convention featuring the main actors in the tourism sector in Mexico closed on a great success on October 1st in Mexico City.
National and international tourism entrepreneurs and investors had a chance to meet with high officials from the Secretariat of Tourism and state governors, in order to create ties and alliances for future tourism developments.
Some of the keynote speeches and panels this year revolved around central aspects of the development of the tourism industry, including a presence by golf course designer and former champion Jack Nicklaus, as well as the current Mexican golf star and Mexico Tourism Board Ambassador Lorena Ochoa. |
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Xcaret eco-archaeology theme park receives prize for Best Business Practices
The Xcaret theme park receives through this award yet another confirmation of its leadership in the field of sustainable tourism, and of the positive impact it has within its community.
The Recognition of the Best Business Practices RSE 2008 in the category Links with the community, was given by the Mexican Centre for Philantropy (CEMEFI) during the celebrations of the festival Tradiciones de Vida y Muerte.
The prize was given in a ceremony held in Guadalajara on September 8 recibe este reconocimiento en la categoría de Vinculación con la comunidad. La entrega del reconocimiento fue el 8 de septiembre de 2008, en la Ciudad de Guadalajara.
The objective of the award is to publicly recognize exemplary social responsibility among businesses. Laureates are enterprises able to combine successful business results and positive outcomes on their community. Xcaret is a clear example of the cited criteria, and this park located in the state of Quintana Roo is highly regarded as model of sustainability. Xcaret invited no less than 369 people from 37 neighbouring Mayan communities to participate in the Festival and share the honours.
For more information, visit http://www.xcaret.com |
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Arte en la Charrería: The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture
From October 25 to January 25, 2009, the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton will host the Canadian leg of the travelling exhibition Arte en la Charrería: The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture.
The equestrian sport of La Charrería is one of Mexico's most important cultural traditions and a symbol of the country's national identity. Arte en la Charrería showcases art of the Charrería culture, highlighting the work of the artisans who produce the spectacular sombreros, saddles, bits, spurs, clothing and much more. The exhibition transcends the beauty and utility of the objects and reveals a tradition that exalts Mexican civic spirit and honors the artisans as an essential part of the art.
For more information, visit http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/pma.htm |
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Planning a trip to Mexico?
Want to know more about what Mexico has to offer?
Call the Mexico Tourism Board at 1-800-44-MEXICO or visit our website. You may also contact our Canadian office at the corresponding number below:
| Toll-Free: 1-866-895-5297 |
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