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Narrator: In the eyes of any foreigner, the relationship Mexicans have with the death can seem a bit strange. But at the same time, it actually represents a unique opportunity to contact a cultural manifestation that goes back 2,000 year-old traditions.
Man; Yes. It is very unique and it is a part of a heritage I think. Because we are aware that tourism is not only a beautiful beach scenery or wonderful pyramid around. Beautiful colonial town, but it is precisely to bring with the traditions, with the way of living, with the way of eating, with the way of talking, the way of celebrating and all those things combine with this physical and wonderful natural and historical heritage is what makes Mexico such an impressive and unique and diverse destinations for a work.
Narrator: Each year, Mexicans have an appointment with the dead. In which according to the tradition, the deceased return on November 2nd to spend a few hours with their relatives. It is a moment when respect and love come together, and of course, the enjoyment of the tradition.
Man 2: [Translation] I think it is a very healthy celebration for children, parents and grandparents because it features to many about the dead that the dead matter in everyday life because they are part of a memory of the same family.
They are part of the heritage from the past that we now live in the present.
Narrator: For Mexicans, dead is not the end of the road, but simply immediate things in the cycle of life.
The day of the dead is the perfect occasion to reinforce that belief. To prove that the dead are not gone, they are still here so that their love ones can speak to them, feed them and give them the attention they deserve.
The tradition of the day of the dead goes back to indigenous cultures that subsequently were founded after the arrival of the Spaniards based upon Catholic beliefs.
This very elaborate festival unites families summoned alters in the front of their homes in honor of their deceased family members, decorating them with photographs and traditional Samba Sichuan flowers that the Aztec associated with death.
During the visit to the cemetery to reunite with their dead family members, visitors bring their love ones favorite food. It is also traditional to eat the bread of the dead made of biscotti which is only made during this time of the year.
The children enjoyed calabacitas, candy made of sugar that carry their name in the front. All these symbols and traditions on the day of the dead give the dead a unique commemoration in the world.
Woman: In Mexico, it is different because it is celebrating the cycle of life and how it keeps going over the years, every year, they still commemorate their dead, love ones, the deceased and it is just more of a traditional and cultural thing, more having to do with families together and more rejoicing and praising that there was that life instead of thinking that they are not there anymore. They are just praising what was there.
So, those just very fascinating and a very good experience, I liked it!
Narrator: Celebrations on the day of the dead are so established among Mexican town that none even the influence of Halloween in the US has manage to change it.
Man 3: I think the biggest difference between Halloween and the day of the dead in Mexico is basically, there is culture. There is tradition. There is death in Mexico. When you think of Halloween just in costumes, little kids asking for candy, it is a one day celebration. It is a holiday.
However in Mexico, it is not. Mexico, there is a culture behind it. There is death. There is –
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Transcription by:
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