Latest news Day of the Dead: Hundreds of "Catrinas" parade through Mexico City

Shortly before the traditional Day of the Dead, hundreds of "Catrinas" marched through Mexico City. With elaborate skull make-up, elegant dresses and colorful headdresses, they strolled from the Independence Monument to the central Zócalo square.

The skeleton woman "Catrina" is based on an illustration by the engraver José Guadalupe Posada. She was later popularized by the muralist Diego Rivera (1886-1957), husband of the artist Frida Kahlo, with his painting "Sunday Dreaming in the Alameda".

Intangible cultural heritage of Unesco

On the Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2, Mexicans commemorate their deceased loved ones. Traditionally, they set up altars in their homes and visit the graves of the dead. In 2008, Unesco added the custom to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Recently, however, the tradition has changed. While the Day of the Dead is actually celebrated within the family circle, there are now more and more public celebrations. The "Catrinas" procession, for example, has only been held for eleven years. According to the newspaper "Milenio", this is intended to strengthen Mexican traditions in view of the increasing popularity of Halloween.

Reality sometimes follows fiction: the big Day of the Dead parade next Saturday is based on a scene in the James Bond film "Spectre" (2015). In it, lead actor Daniel Craig and a companion in costume walk through the middle of a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City. But such a parade had never been seen before.

SDA