Cristina Flores returned with only 16 altars to revive the display of altars from the residents of Calle 5 de Mayo and is already planning next year’s exhibition
This is the completed altar presented by the neighbours of Calle 5 de Mayo. Jazmín Stengel.
Jazmín Stengel – After retiring from the organization in 2016, the founder of the traditional altar display, Cristina Flores, has returned to take the reins of the organizing committee. The annual exhibition of altars for the Day of the Dead on 2 November was once again held on 5 de Mayo Street in the municipal capital of Chapala.
Despite the low participation in the last two years due to Covid-19 health emergency measures, 20 families responded to Cristina’s invitation this year, but only 16 altars were set up in total. With candles, food, music, and depictions of the people, many of whom died during the pandemic.
In the exhibition’s best years, up to 130 altars were set up along the street, including altars from the parish of San Francisco de Asís and institutions such as schools, the Red Cross, DIF Chapala and the Chapala Regional High School, who regularly compete in the Vida y Muerte festival.
Although Civil Protection only estimated around 150 spectators between 8:30 and 10:00 p.m., the altar display (and contest by the high school) became known as the largest in Jalisco, according to the State Government, both in terms of the number of altars and visitors, gathering more than five thousand people at a time. «And it will be the same again,» said Mrs. Flores, who said she has already begun to extend invitations to different institutions for next year.
The 16 altars that were presented were the same for the last two years, altars that neighbours from the block set up in their backyards, garages or on the pavement outside their homes and that have kept the tradition alive despite health restrictions. This year was no exception and, although with more dark spaces than light, the few neighbours who participated continued to offer tea, canelita and sandwiches to the few spectators.
Professor David Castellanos of the Chapala Regional High School, who is in charge of organizing the celebrations on these dates, said that he is keeping alive the hope of presenting the Vida y Muerte contest again, along with the display of altars on 5 de Mayo Street.
Translated by Dee Lynn
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