The dead (and the living) Review in the Regional Traditions Guide

Written by Jubal on October 5, 2006 01:30 PM | Permalink


“Calaveras arrive at the Cuale
in art on display
and contests at City Hall-e
with prizes for pay”

Since ancestral times, it has been believed that during the first days of November the dead return to the world of the living. Our ancestors commemorated the event with offerings arranged on homemade altars illuminated with candles to guide the way for the souls to return to their former homes. Today the tradition is practiced less and less as little by little the symbolism of the altars is simplified or even combined with foreign customs like that of Halloween.

Nevertheless, the Day of Dead continues to be one of the great national celebrations and a symbol that further characterizes our country within its borders. Puerto Vallarta, focused on the rescue of the tradition, has prepared a program of activities for the celebration of the Day of Dead on the Isla Río Cuale, at Los Arcos and the City Hall.

Exhibition at the Cuale

Students of the Fine Art workshops of the Centro Cultural Cuale will prepare a collective exhibition of work by the students prepared especially for this event. The concept of “death,” as well as its interpretations and perceptions will materialize in these works. In addition, a montage-installation will celebrate the Day of the Dead in specific workshops. The celebration will be accompanied by music, calaveras, bread de los muertos, and more. The participants in the exhibition (Hilda Rosales, Carmina Diaz, Lourdes Merino, Ana Uribe, Cecilia Preciado, Claudia Plata, Steve Fisher, Leo Morales, Lola Deziel, Amparo Topete, Lobelia Villareal, Genoveva Velasco, Hildeliza Lopez, Guillermina Paez, Carla, and Pilar) are students of painting, photography, printmaking and drawing workshops of the Centro Cultural Cuale.

Altars and Calaveras Contest

The City Hall will convert its corridors into a gallery of altars during the contest that takes place November 1 and 2. Writers and aficionados can show also off their abilities in the Contest of Calaveras (similar to a limerick, but poking fun at the dead). The competitions are for the public and registrations are open. There will be cash prizes for the most successful altars and calaveras.

altar6.jpgMonumental Altar at Los Arcos

With the intention of integrating Vallartan residents with her visitors, the Municipality will mount a Monumental Altar at Los Arcos on the Malecón. To grace the grand altar, an artistic-musical show will take place the nights of November 1 and 2. Take advantage of the sight and bring the whole family to celebrate this ancient ritual.

COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION AND CELEBRATION
Students of the free workshops
November 1 and 2
5:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale
Río Cuale

MONUMENTAL ALTAR
Los Arcos
November 1 and 2
Artistic activities, 7:00pm
Malecón

CONTEST OF ALTARS AND CALAVERAS
Interior of City Hall
November 1 and 2
Open registration

EXHIBITION OF ALTARS
Interior of City Hall
November 1 and 2
9:00am-5:00pm