La Laguna is gearing up to host the III Cultural Tour ‘Day of the Dead, Night of the Dead’ until November 7. This initiative brings together a variety of activities centred on the festival of the dead, presenting an appealing selection of leisure and cultural experiences that serve as a bridge between Mexico and the Canary Islands.
Shop Window Competition
The campaign will see the participation of businesses from the Open Commercial Zone in a Shop Window Competition, where they can get involved by using the theme of the festival of the dead as a guiding motif.
The shop displays will be decorated from October 25 to November 5, and the winner will be determined by popular vote.
Catrinas Parade
The highlight of this cultural tour is set for October 26. Following the tremendous success of prior years, the streets of the city will again be vibrant with colour, music, symbolism, and tradition, as they host a parade of catrinas, in which the whole family is welcome to participate.
The parade will commence at 11:00 a.m. in Plaza Doctor Olivera and will proceed along Calle Herradores, Calle Tabares de Cala, Calle Obispo Rey Redondo, concluding near the Torre de La Concepción.
Ephemeral Art
Visitors strolling through the city during this period will have the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition of ephemeral art that will infuse the Open Commercial Zone with colour and creativity. The display will feature two giant skulls, each measuring 1.70 by 1.70 metres, alongside a 3-metre tall giant catrina that was showcased in the last edition.
Altars Route
This year, the project once again offers a route showcasing altars dedicated to the Mexican dead, created by various organisations within the city, including the Mexico Canary Foundation, the La Laguna Business Association Commercial Zone, the Cristino de Vera Foundation, the University of La Laguna, the La Laguna Casino, and La Peña Pepe Fuentes. Visiting hours will align with the schedules established by these institutions.
Mass of the Dead
On November 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mother Parish of Nuestra Señora de La Concepción, a mass for the dead will be held, followed by a response offered for all the faithful departed in front of the painting of Ánimas.
“Mexico in La Laguna” Photography Contest
Submit your photograph taken during any of the activities related to the “Day of the Dead Night of the Dead” on Instagram, using the hashtag #MEXICOINLALAGUNA. The photo receiving the most “likes” will be awarded a weekend stay on a half board basis for two people at the Hotel Alúa Soul Orotava Valley. Please refer to the contest rules for more information.
The ‘Day of the Dead, Night of the Dead’ project, unveiled this Thursday, is an initiative of the Mexico-Canary Islands Foundation, in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the business association La Laguna Zona Comercial (LLZC). It has also received the backing of La Laguna City Council through its Festival and Culture Areas, as well as the Federation of Urban Areas of the Canary Islands (FAUCA). The aim is to enhance cultural links between the Canary Islands and Mexico while revitalising the city’s open commercial area.