Noche de Muertos 2010–#11

Pilgrimage on Horseback

On November 1, 50 riders set out from Morelia on horseback to make a pilgrimage to Pátzcuaro. Every year the pilgrimage keeps gathering riders from pueblos along the way, until they finally number from 600 to 1,000 on arrival at the Plaza de la Basílica. This massive procession on horseback pays homage to Nuestra Señora de la Salud, who is venerated at the Pátzcuaro Basílica.

The ride started in the dark at 5:00 AM and the caballeros and caballeras starting arriving in streams at 5:00 PM at the Plaza. In the fading light, the earthy smell of the horses permeated the air, while the occasional clatter of restless hooves, the snorts of horses pulling at their tethers and their nickers punctuated the burble of satisfied conversations.

This year no horses were permitted to enter the small courtyard area adjacent to the Basílica or the edifice itself because of restored paving and flooring. Mass was held to the jingle of spurs as those who were standing occasionally shifted their weight from foot to foot.

		Cabalgata Morelia-Pátzcuaro 2010 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

See a series of posts on Night of the Dead in Patzcuaro.
Patzcuaro bound?

Noche de Muertos 2010 – #10

A Walk through the Tianguis

Here is just a sampling of the folk art and craft ware on display on the the Plaza Grande today.

		Patzcuaro Tianguis–Noche de Muertos VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Folk Art & Crafts
Live 2 blocks away

Noche de Muertos–#9

The Tianguis on Plaza Vasco de Quiroga

Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, aka Plaza Grande, was restored this year. For Semana Santa, the artesan tianguis were moved to the street next to the Basílica. The whole effect was less than charming. I am pleased to see the tianguis are back at Plaza Grande for Noche de Muertos, but with a change. Instead of being up on the raised plaza itself, the tents are being set up in the street. It looks like the only street on the square that is two-way (on the West side, going up Dr. Coss) may be open to traffic. It seems the plaza itself, with its fountains, benches will be left open for people to enjoy.

I like seeing the folk art from all over Michoacán, as well as from Oaxaca, Chiapas, and a few other places, in one place. I plan to buy some nice gifts.

P.S. - The Dr. Coss side of the Plaza now has tents, as well, with a single one-way lane going South. I would not count on getting a car through. We go on foot to and in the Centro under normal circumstances, which is fun, and for busy Semana Santa and Noche de Muertos people who live here don't even take their cars out.

Noche de Muertos in Patzcuaro
Patzcuaro homes

Noche de Muertos 2010 - #8

The confections have arrived on Plaza Grande. Here is your opportunity to purchase a skull to present to a favorite person. You can even have the person’s name inscribed on the skull’s forehead, as is the custom.

Sweets for Night of the Dead
A place for you in Patzcuaro

Noche de Muertos 2010 - #7

8˚ Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia
Pátzcuaro Extension of the Film Festival
Teatro Emperador Caltzontzin on Plaza “Chica”
No charge to attend

Schedule of 14 film showings during this month of October leading up to Noche de Muertos.

Saturday 16 Oct.
6:00 PM – 90 min.
Héroes verdaderos
Carlos Kuri

8:00 PM – 98 min.
Mi nombre es John Lennon
Nowhere Boy
Sam Taylor-Wood

Sunday 17 Oct.
6:00 PM – 91 min.
El pequeño Nicolás
Le petit Nicolas
Laurent Tirard

8:00 PM – 119 min.
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
Jan Kounen

Monday 18 Oct
6:00 PM – 106 min.
Revolución

8:30 PM – 109 min.
Tamara Drewe
Stephen Frears

Tuesday 19 Oct.
6:00 PM – 98 min.
Gertrudis
Ernesto Medina

8:00 PM – 99 Min.
Sal y Pimienta
Soul Kitchen
Fatih Akin

Wednesday 20 Oct.
6:00 PM – 118 min.
Los Hermanos Grimm
The Brothers Grimm
Terry Gilliam

8:30 PM – 100 min.
Upperdog
Sara Johnsen
Terry Gilliam

Thursday 21 Oct.
6:00 PM – 123 min.
El mundo imaginario del Dr. Parnassus
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Terry Gilliam

8:30 – 115 min.
Hidalgo
Antonio Serrano

Friday 22 Oct.
6:00 PM – 128 min.
Ágora… La caída del imperio romano
Agora
Alejandro Amenábar

8:30 PM – 78 min.
Norte
Nord
Rune Denstad Langlo

Noche de Muertos - #6

Altars & Offerings Exhibit
Opening 1 November 2010 at 5:00 PM
Biblioteca Gertrudis Bocanegra
Plaza “Chica”, Pátzcuaro
Traditional pozole and atole will be served.

See the altars and offerings for Night of the Dead that are traditional in the Lake Pátzcuaro region.

This year the library will display altars to pay homage to two heroines of the Mexican Revolution: María Gertrudis Bocanegra de Mendoza de Lazo de la Vega of Pátzcuaro and María Luísa Martínez of Erongarícuaro.

The offerings will be in memory of Dr. Aaron Huipe of Pátzcuaro. This young physician died prematurely this past year; he had received many awards for excellence when he was a medical student.

For more about Altars & Offerings.
Your Pátzcuaro.

Noche de Muertos - #5

Exhibit and Sale of Ceramic Catrina Figures
Biblioteca Gertudris Bocanegra
Plaza “Chica”, Pátzcuaro
Formal opening of exhibit – 30 October 2010 at 5:00 PM
On display through 3 November 2010.

Catrinas are skeleton figures, dressed in outrageous clothing and costume, with which Mexico mocks death. For further explanation see  "Catrinas" and Skeletons: Mocking Death in Mexican Culture.

This exhibit will feature hand-selected Catrina pieces from Capula. There will be something “for every pocket”, as one says in Spanish. Prices will range from approximately Pesos $100 to $500.

More about Night of the Dead around Lake Pátzcuaro.
You could walk to Plaza Chica.