Printer-friendly version


ICV Arcade: Mexican Community celebrates Day of the Dead

Image: V. Krebs, Mexican tradition for the day of the dead, sugar sculls
Image: V. Krebs, Mexican tradition for the day of the dead, sugar sculls
By Jeho Serrano, version française Camille Saadé
02 November 2013

On 2 November 2013, at the ICV Arcade, the Mexican community of Geneva gathered to celebrate a per-Hispanic tradition: the Day of the Dead Celebration. The event was organized by the AMEGI (Association of Mexicans in Geneva and Friends of Mexico) and ICV.

"Day of the Dead" is a syncretic blend of Aztec and Catholic traditions. Normally, it is celebrated during the ninth month of the Aztec solar calendar, which coincides with the date of All Saints. This tradition, which is the cradle of Mesoamerica, aims to honor and celebrate the dead, children and close family in the afterlife.

In some cultures, life and death are a symbol of admiration and devotion. However, for the Aztecs, it was different: the uncertainty of the dead had encouraged one side to create rituals and traditions in order to try to understand the other side and make fun of it, trying to scare it.

This festival was dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl (lady death). Currently, it is called 'La Catrina', in reference to the folk caricatures of José Guadalupe Posadas nineteenth century.

Celebrations started at 15:00 with two workshops for children on how to create sugar skulls, followed by a literary competition. There was also music, food and traditional drinks. A unique and different experience in Geneva. An experience to see and not to be missed!

The exhibition took place at the ICV Arcade, 106 rue de Carouge, Geneva. The funeral altar is being display from 1 to 6 November 2013. We welcome your presence! 

The Arcade is a space where different social, artistic and musical networks interact in a mutually enriching environment. The space is managed by ICV, an international non-profit organization specialized in the field of communications for social and humanitarian projects as well as conferences.

Address: ICV Arcade, 106 rue de Carouge, Geneva 1205, Tel: 022 800 14 36

Links: 

http://www.icvarcade.org/index.php?what=contact
http://amegi.ch/nuevo/diademuertos.html

Contacts:

info@icvolunteers.org
amegi@amegi.ch
jeho.serrano@icvolunteers.org


©1997-2024 ICVolunteers|design + programming mcart group|Updated: 2019-01-28 10:52 GMT|