Merida Events: Hanal Pixan!
Events this week are leading up to the wonderful weekend of Hanal Pixan, as Day of the Dead is known in this part of Mexico. The celebrations around Hanal Pixan include the Paseo de las Animas, which ranges from San Juan to the General Cemetery, with the focus of the event in Parque L'Ermita. Neighbors and representatives of towns from around the Yucatan Peninsula will start setting up altars on Calle 66 near Ermita during the day on Friday, and the event really gets into gear as the sun goes down. If this year is like the previous ones, the streets will be packed and the atmosphere will be festive. At some point, a parade of catrinas and calaveras will wind their way from San Juan to the cemetery, faces painted like skeletons as they remind the viewing public that someday we will all be ghosts. Death and Life are both celebrated with costumes, candles, food and drink.
Later during the weekend (and honestly, we don't know which day, so check both days!), the square in the Plaza Grande will be filled with altars from around the Yucatan. Here's a chance to see the altars in daytime and understand how they are constructed, what they consist of and see the people of Yucatan participating in one of their most cherished rituals.
Enjoy!!
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