[D66] Mexico City's Great Day of the Dead parade to go virtual

[R.O.]

https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english/mexico-citys-great-day-dead-parade-go-virtual


  Mexico City's Great Day of the Dead parade to go virtual


    Day of the Dead is one of the most popular traditions in Mexico

Mexico City's Great Day of the Dead parade to go virtual Day of the Dead 
was declared as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 
2003 - Photo: Valent Rosas/EL UNIVERSAL

English 20/08/2020 17:32 Mexico City Salvador Corona/EL UNIVERSAL & 
MirandaPerea/EL UNIVERSAL in English Actualizada 17:35

Leer en español

*Day of the Dead* (Día de Muertos) is one of the most important 
celebrations in Mexico

On November 1 and 2, Mexicans set up altars, dress up as skeletons, and 
host parties to celebrate the annual visit of their loved ones who have 
passed away.

Each region has different ways to celebrate Day of the Dead: from the 
most traditional to the most modern, but without losing the essence of 
this heritage.

In 2003, Mexico’s Day of the Dead was declared an Intangible Cultural 
Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, who said this celebration “holds great 
significance in the life of Mexico’s indigenous communities. The fusion 
of pre-Hispanic religious rites and Catholic feasts brings together two 
universes, one marked by indigenous belief systems, the other by 
worldviews introduced by the Europeans in the sixteenth century.”

Day of the Dead is highly popular among locals and tourists, who usually 
join a series of events to celebrate this Mexican tradition with makeup, 
costumes, food, and music.

Last year, Mexico City’s government held a series of events in the 
framework of *Day of the Dead* that included an immersive light tour at 
Chapultepec Park, the installation of a monumental altar at Mexico 
City’s main square, the popular altars organized by the National 
Autonomous University of Mexico, a festival of Day of the Dead Altars 
and Flowers in downtown Mexico City, and of course the Great Day of the 
Dead Parade.

The Great Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City is one of the most 
expected events of the season that aims to remember our loved ones who 
have passed away and celebrate life in a joyful way. It includes floats, 
troupes, and music bands.

However, 2020 has brought particular circumstances that have forced 
authorities to rethink the way to celebrate this important tradition.

Due to the health emergency caused by COVID-19, Mexico City’s Mix Fund 
for Tourism Promotion (FMPT) will hold the traditional *Day of the Dead 
parade* online as well as a homage in which people will be able to 
participate to remember their beloved ones who died because of the new 
coronavirus.

In a promotional video, the FMPT, directed by Paola Félix, says that in 
order to comply with health protocols and prevent contagions, they have 
planned to hold the traditional parade behind closed doors in a stadium, 
such as the one of Ciudad Universitaria, or a recording studio.

“2020 has been a complicated year for everyone in economic, work, and 
family matters; many of us have lost dear ones (so) it’s important to 
remember them and bid them farewell with all the love and respect they 
deserve. Mexico has the ideal tradition to send this message, Day of the 
Dead. We propose to reinvent Day of the Dead and out parade by going 
virtual,” says the video,

There will be an app called “Xóchitl, Mexico’s virtual ambassador for 
the world” that will work as an interactive *digital platform *with 
augmented reality that includes multimedia content related to Mexican 
traditions, culture, and entertainment.

“The platform will give access to virtual events, live streaming for the 
promotion of our beautiful Mexico City in a safe way without putting 
anyone at risk. For the closed doors, we want to hold a parade inside a 
stadium or a recording studio, without public, and with COVID-19 
protocols,”  and added it will be broadcast in all its platforms.


The FMPT invited Mexicans to perform a candle ceremony on November 1 at 
20:00 as a flashmob to bring everyone together from their balconies and 
windows with a candle to remember their loved ones and be united in 
these hard times.

“It’s been a hard year, but *Mexico *wants to say that our tradition is 
also for the rest of the countries; a light for those who left us and 
Mexico’s support for those who stayed,” says the promotional video.

mp
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