Mexico City: To commemorate the day of death in a country mourning nearly 500 people who died in the Mexico earthquake last month, the demons, towering skulls and altars adorned with marigolds along the main roads of Mexico City were destroyed on Saturday.
More than 700 performers arranged a spectacular afternoon procession over four miles (7 km) of the vast Paseo de la Reforma.
Due to two devastating earthquakes in September, the program changed slightly.
The fists made of hats and pickaxes spread and greeted the cheers and applause from thousands of onlookers.
On the 19th of September, in the rubble from the second earthquake, the survivors were greeted and praised the rescuers for silence. About 230 people died in dozens of buildings and capitals.
But the strongest earthquake in more than three decades has not reduced festivals held in Mexico for centuries. Participants and bystanders all painted their faces with colorful skulls, many called "La Catrina" in Mexico's iconic skull shape.
"As a society, it was very violent to move our conscience," said Ramon Marquez, 51. .
"A parade can be a distraction and a way to escape."
Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Mexico, the parade was three times the size of last year's virgin effort inspired by the Dead of Dead parade featured in the opening sequence of the 2015 James Bond movie "Specter".
Three young women wore La Catrina-style face paint, a large feather hat, and a 1900's style dress, allegedly used in “Spectre”.
Mexico's deadly earthquake has made this festival feel like a new solidarity, they said.
Viola Canella Juárez, 31, said, “We came here to celebrate and dance.
About 200,000 people attended last year and at least 300,000 local media reported at the media parade on Saturday.
The parade ended with Mariachi musicians wearing Mexican folk songs from flowers and colored floats, such as boats sailing through the canal south of the city. Women in wedding dresses danced as grooms, both faces painted with skulls.
Mexicans usually celebrate the day of their death on the town square, home and cemetery on November 2, but with the popularity of bond films, Mexican city officials held a carnival festival. Nevertheless, event organizers say the parade is not mimicking Hollywood productions.
"The heart of this parade is to celebrate life," said Anima founder and art director Alejandra Gonzalez Anaya. "We need to have an important tradition in Mexican radar. So we are proud of what is important from Mexico to the world."
Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/240712-After-Mexico-quakes-Day-of-the-Dead-parade-honors-rescuers
