Mexico Celebrates 'Día de Muertos' As The Festivity Grows

By Rodrigo Cervantes, Mark Brodie
Published: Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - 6:12pm
Updated: Friday, November 1, 2019 - 1:40pm

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Rodrigo Cervantes/KJZZ
Kids with skull makeup wait for one of the Día de Muertos parades to pass by in Mexico City.

MEXICO CITY — Mexico is celebrating one of its most important holidays: the Day of the Dead. It remembers the deceased beloved ones and reflects on death as our ultimate fate. And while the festivities preserve the cultural heritage, it also has become a major international event.

After movies like “007 Spectrum” and “Coco,” el Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has gained more global attention — and a more festive environment.

Tina Hayes is from Maine, and it’s her first time visiting Mexico City. She came specifically for the Día de Muertos celebrations.

“¡Dios mío! Lots and lots of people! I love seeing the artwork, all the vendors around,” Hayes said.

Currently, Mexico City has at least three official parades for the holidays. The government expects 85,000 tourists visiting the city, and $4.5 million spent on lodging.

And while some celebrate the increasing popularity overseas, others focus on the tradition. Among them is Domitila Temictli, a promoter of indigenous dances and rituals in downtown Mexico City.

"I think people in other countries are giving more value to the festivities than many locals, particularly Mexican migrants who find it a way to connect with their roots," Temictli said.

But Temictli said Día de Muertos is more than fashionable; it is a celebration of ancestry every Mexican should preserve.

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