La Calaca

If you want to get to realize the real Mexico, there’s no higher way to do it than through attending the la calaca competition. The event changed into first held in 2012 and is now one of the biggest and most popular day of the useless festivals in the south the USA. Think carnival meets halloween, punctuated by means of masses of trick or treating, arts, floats, a laugh, games, booze, and meals in between. It’s one of the most specific and interesting festivals in the world, as mexico explodes in vibrant color, artwork, and music at some stage in the event.

Calacas used within the festival consist of carved cranium masks worn through revellers, small figures made from carved wooden or fired clay, and candy treats inside the form of skulls or skeletons. Calacas are on occasion product of wooden, stone, or even sweet.

A famous word amongst mexicans and people latinos that in my opinion realize a person is “se lo (la) llevó la calaca” after a person has died, actually meaning “the calaca took him (her)” or “dying took him (her)”.

In guatemala, “calaca” is thought as “demise”. the figure of a bare skeleton represents dying and implies fear of death. Accordingly, it is not typically applied as a completely satisfied photograph. The festival, attractions, and activities will take place in several venues throughout San Miguel de Allende and the city center. There will be daytime and night time events to look out for.

For the three days of the festival, there will also be amazing workshops, installations to explore, cemetery tours (get up close and personal with the dead!), and much more to enjoy. However, the fun of the festival lies in YOUR participation. Joining in on the festivities is what makes this event so special. Afterwards, it may just change how you think about art, life, death, and your role in the grand scheme of things through a dazzling and electrifying festival.