Fragment of the walk from the Malecón of San Juan Cosalá to the Main Plaza. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.
Héctor Ruiz Mejía – With a participation of around two thousand people, the third edition of the «Paseo de las Ánimas» walk was held in San Juan Cosalá on the Day of the Dead. According to Luis Guzmán, artistic coordinator of the event, the attendance exceeded his expectations, since so many Expats and tourists from Guadalajara and even from different towns of the riverside attended.
«I got to see many people I know from Guadalajara, from the United States, even from Ajijic», said the ex-director of Culture of Jocotepec, who also commented that the citizen participation was very helpful, including contributions of money, by covering the Kiosk of Cempasúchil, and decorating the Plaza.
The idea arose three years ago as a result of his desire to take advantage of the many legends that are part of the essence of one of the oldest towns of the riverside, explained Luis Guzmán.
«We thought it would be very cool to recreate a story, which is very much our own, that of Michicihualli, deity of the Lake or La Mujer pescado», as she is also known.
In the event, La Michicihualli is represented by a young woman of the town, in which «we look for a profile with not so modern features, not so Spanish features», which in this third edition, was Citlalli, 18 years old, who walked from the Lagoon to inaugurate the festival in the center of the town.
Her walk to the town center represents the goddess who comes to illuminate the town square, which, according to the tradition of the festival, remains dark until the caravan of monarch butterflies and the endemic fauna of the Lagoon safely transport the «fish woman» to illuminate the journey of the dead towards ours world, according to Guzmán.
The walk begins with a ritual at the foot of the lake, where seeds and fruits are offered, and then the deity, which ascends from the water, is transported to the main square by the residents.
Translated by Sydney Metrick
A sidewalk obstructed by material, is one of the recurring complaints of the town, which would be covered by this anonymous complaint system.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) – A new WhatsApp number and Facebook page will be set up for Ajijic to streamline the process of complaints from the residents of the town; in addition, complaints can be made anonymously. With this system, the aim is to reach quick and individual resolutions with the complainants and the respondents.
The person in charge of Ajijic’s office, Maximiliano «Max» Macías Arceo, commented that since he took office he has received many complaints regarding different matters; for example, the obstruction of walkways with building materials or rubble, people who throw away their trash after the truck has already passed, or owners who walk their pets and leave their poop in the garbage.
«We have set up a WhatsApp number and soon a Facebook page to deal with these complaints anonymously. We don’t want to embarrass anyone, it’ s just a way for the community to educate themselves little by little and become aware of the care and image of the streets,» Max said.
He commented that the process to be followed is that after receiving the complaint, it will not be released, but the accused will be visited personally, in order to talk to them and reach a solution to the problem. «For example, on the walkways, not to obstruct and to seek a permit to put some debris temporarily in a space on the street».
Semanario Laguna asked a small group of people randomly for their opinion on this, to which, in their entirety, they agreed with this action, as it seems to them a gentle way of sanctioning the offenders.
«It’s a good way of giving people a little fright, this way they will avoid doing things they know they shouldn’t, what you see most is that they take out the rubbish all week or after the lorry has passed, and then it falls and makes a mess, or the dogs destroy it, etcetera. Not only because of the trash, but because of the other things that were mentioned, it is a sign that the town leaders are getting closer to the people and listening to them,» said Antonio, a native of Ajijic interviewed by Laguna..
Those interviewed also agreed that this new way of working will avoid conflicts between neighbours and will lead them to take responsibility. «There are neighbours who are very difficult and you can’t say anything to them, because they get angry and want to fight, but if the authorities visit them to make them see their wrongdoing, they are more likely to get on the same page,» said Ángela, also an inhabitant of the town.
Finally, Max said that while they are working on the details of setting up the system, they will continue to receive complaints by telephone at 376 766 1760. He also asked the population to help, like sweeping the front of their homes, and he invited everyone to do their bit.
Translated by Dee Lynn.
Catrinas guarding the entrance to the Kiosk. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.
Musician and singer-songwriter, Paco Padilla gave a thrilling performance in the Main Square of Jocotepec for the event organized by the City Hall for the Day of the Dead.
Paco, who was part of Jocotepec’s cultural program, packed the plaza in a performance surrounded by local exhibits and displays.
Both the third rendition of the Walk of the Souls in San Juan Cosalá, as well as the first version of the festival and exhibition of altars, «Al fin, para morir nacimos» (In the end, we were born to die) in the municipal capital were well attended by both local and foreign visitors.
Jocotepec’s Main Square overflowed with costumes of different styles and colors common to the Day of the Dead, the smell of cempasúchil flowers that permeated the atmosphere. An altar commemorating all the victims of COVID-19 delight locals and tourists alike.
Translated by Sydney Metrick
La Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, en Ajijic, está a poco de iniciar el proyecto de restauración -evento del kilómetro del peso-.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- El proyecto de la restauración de la Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, ubicada en Ajijic, está muy cerca de iniciar, y es que, después de cuatro eventos para recaudar fondos, el grupo Sumando Voluntades ya se encuentra listo para dar el siguiente paso.
Su último evento, del pasado 31 de octubre -día de la Virgen del Rosario-, fue la carrera del Rosario en su séptima edición donde corrieron 180 corredores, además de la kermesse ese mismo día, que, en total reunieron 40 mil pesos, sumando un total aproximado de 350 mil pesos que el grupo tiene como fondo para empezar a trabajar.
El arquitecto que lleva el proyecto, Josué Ramos, comentó que ya se presentó el proyecto de restauración ante el Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH), el cual necesita algunas modificaciones para echarse a andar, no obstante, el capital reunido ya es el suficiente para iniciar.
“Nos pidieron que se volviera a hacer el proyecto estructural ya con las especificaciones brindadas por el arquitecto del INAH; a lo que el arquitecto dijo que quizás y no se tiene que gastar todo el capital en la primera etapa, ya que aseguró que eran cosas bastantes simples de inicio”, aseveró Josué.
Además, agregó que por el momento, tienen algunos eventos en mente, aunque les falta planearlos bien o precisar la fecha de estos, pero a corto plazo, piensan parar un poco para enfocarse en el levantamiento arquitectónico y en la reestructuración necesaria.
“Seguiremos reuniendo fondos, pero más a futuro. Por el momento, estamos pensando en la venta de un póster en blanco y negro con la Virgen del Rosario y la Capillita de fondo, el cual, empezaríamos a vender en las fiestas patronales y cuando se tenga oportunidad”, finalizó el arquitecto Josué.
Santiago Baeza.
El pasado lunes primero de noviembre fui testigo de un evento inédito en la ribera de Chapala. A iniciativa de un puñado de músicos, en su mayoría intérpretes del género jazz, se logró una amplia convocatoria a la que acudieron decenas de artistas musicales, tanto mexicanos como extranjeros. Se trató de una reunión, la primera de muchas más que seguirán teniendo, con el objetivo de organizarse, contar con un directorio en el que todos estén incluidos, generar comisiones de trabajo y proponer iniciativas en conjunto, en beneficio de ese gremio y de la oferta cultural de esta población, hecho que seguramente generará un mayor impacto en el turismo y por consiguiente, en la economía de la región.
Este tipo de acciones colectivas rompen con la inercia individualista que suele caracterizar a los artistas. Promueven una actitud incluyente y solidaria, pues anteponen el interés colectivo a los beneficios personales. Generan comunidad y por lo tanto, garantizan un mayor impacto en su resultado. En esta breve pero muy fructífera sesión de trabajo, se resolvieron algunas dudas sobre cómo trabajará la Dirección de Cultura de Ajijic, en qué espacios se podrá trabajar y cuáles serán las políticas de apoyo a esta comunidad.
Pero lo más interesante, es que apenas iniciada la reunión, comenzaron a llover propuestas de actividades, que van desde pequeñas intervenciones en el espacio público hasta grandes festivales de talla internacional para esta población. En poco más de hora y media, la expectativa con la que arribaron creció al calor de la discusión y terminó convirtiéndose en la certeza de que vienen muy buenos tiempos para el desarrollo de la cultura y las artes en Ajijic, sobre todo, por la gran experiencia acumulada, el talento y la evidente voluntad que han manifestado nuestros músicos, para generar proyectos clave que seguro incidirán en resultados concretos y palpables para esta tierra.
Al término de la cita, estos artistas se marcharon con el compromiso de involucrarse, seguir participando y traer propuestas específicas para desarrollarlas en conjunto; incorporarse a las distintas comisiones que se propusieron y convocar a más intérpretes, autores, productores y promotores musicales, para que este colectivo siga creciendo y logre una amplia representatividad de los distintos géneros que cohabitan en esta comunidad.
Esta iniciativa merece de mi parte todo el reconocimiento, pues hoy los músicos de Ajijic han puesto el ejemplo al constituirse en un equipo sólido, propositivo y activo, para beneficiar no sólo su trabajo, sino la oferta artística y el desarrollo económico de la comunidad en general. Espero que esos mismos pasos sean seguidos por artistas plásticos, bailarines, teatristas y demás agentes creativos de aquí, para que sus proyectos y propuestas tengan un beneficio colectivo. Ajijic es un gran espacio cultural que trasciende cafés y galerías. Cada plaza, calle y metro cuadrado del malecón representan un escenario ideal para el desarrollo y el intercambio cultural y artístico. Lo dije al término de mi participación en aquella reunión y hoy lo repito: vienen buenos tiempos para Ajijic, de eso estoy seguro.
Banqueta obstruida por material, una de las quejas recurrentes del pueblo, que sería cubierto por este sistema de denuncia anónima.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- Se implementará un número de WhatsApp, así como una página de Facebook de la delegación de Ajijic, para optimizar el proceso de las denuncias del poblado; además, los reportes se podrán realizar de manera anónima. Con este sistema se pretende llegar a resoluciones rápidas e individuales con los denunciantes y los denunciados.
El Encargado de Despacho de Ajijic, Maximiliano “Max” Macías Arceo, comentó que desde que inició en el cargo ha recibido múltiples denuncias en distintas materias; por ejemplo, la obstrucción de banquetas con material o escombro, la gente que tira su basura después de que pasó el camión o los dueños que pasean a sus mascotas y dejan las heces tiradas.
“Tomamos un número de WhatsApp y próximamente una página de Facebook para tratar estas denuncias de manera anónima. No queremos ventilar a nadie, pero es una forma para que la comunidad se vaya educando poco a poco y tomen conciencia del cuidado e imagen de las calles”, aseveró Max.
Comentó que el proceso a seguir, es que después de recibir la denuncia no se difundirá, sino que se visitará personalmente al acusado, para hablar con ellos y llegar a una solución del problema. “Por ejemplo, en las banquetas, no obstruir y buscar un permiso para poner momentáneamente escombro en un espacio en la calle”.
Semanario Laguna, preguntó a un pequeño grupo de personas aleatoriamente su opinión sobre esto, a lo que, en su totalidad, estuvieron de acuerdo con esta acción, ya que les parece una forma sutil de darle sanción a los infractores.
“Es una buena manera de irle dando miedito a la gente, así van a evitar hacer las cosas que saben que no deben, lo que más se ve es que sacan la basura toda la semana o ya después de que pasó el camión, y luego se cae y hace un cochinero, o los perros la destruyen, etcétera. Entonces con esto se alinean o se alinean. No solo por la basura, si no por lo demás que se mencionó, es un signo de que se están acercando mucho a la población para escucharla”, mencionó Antonio, uno de los entrevistados y nativo de Ajijic.
Asimismo, los entrevistados coincidieron creer que esta nueva manera de trabajar evitará conflictos entre vecinos y los llevará a tomar sus responsabilidades. “Hay vecinos que son muy difíciles y uno no les puede decir nada, porque se enojan y quieren pelear, pero si los visita la autoridad para hacerles ver su falta, es más probable que agarren la onda”, comentó Ángela, también habitante de la delegación.
Finalmente, Max comentó que mientras están gestionando los pormenores para echar a andar el sistema, se seguirán recibiendo las denuncias en la delegación al teléfono 376 766 1760. Además, pidió a la población apoyar, aunque sea barriendo la fachada de sus hogares, invitando a cada quien a poner su granito de arena.
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Ajijic, is close to starting the restoration project
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- The project for the restoration of Ajijic’s Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary is very close to starting, and after four fundraising events, the group “Sumando Voluntades” or Summoning Volunteers is ready to take the next step.
Their most recent event was the seventh annual Run for the Rosary, held on the day of the Virgin of the Rosary, October 31, with 180 runners participating in the race. The race and the fair held on the same day raised 40 thousand pesos, giving a total of approximately 350 thousand pesos that the group has raised to start working.
The architect in charge of the project, Josué Ramos, said that the restoration project was presented to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and needs some modifications, however, the capital raised is enough to get started.
«They asked us to revise the structural project to the specifications provided by the architect of the INAH. The architect said that we don’t have to spend all the capital in the first stage since they were quite simple things to start with,» Josué asserted.
He also added that they have more events in mind, although they have yet to plan the details or set the date. In the short term, they plan to focus on the architectural survey and the necessary restructuring.
«We will continue to raise funds for this project. For the moment, we are thinking of selling a black and white poster with the Virgin of the Rosary and the little chapel in the background, which we will start selling during the patron saint festivities and whenever we have the opportunity», concluded the architect Josué.
Translated by Kerry Watson.
The preschool, elementary and high school students prepared a catwalk in which they wore their Catrinas, Catrines and skeleton costumes.
Instituto Terranova Writing Workshop. – The Terranova Institute celebrated the Day of the Dead like never before with the creation of an altar of the dead, a costume parade, folkloric dance numbers, and an aerial dance, among other activities. Nine art and sports workshops allowed all students to participate and watch the events.
The preschool, elementary and high school students prepared a catwalk in which they wore their Catrinas, Catrines and skeleton costumes. Chess students performed a game with living pieces.
Students of the music workshop enlivened the festival with songs, while the students of the Acrobatics workshop performed a surprising display of their rope skills. No less surprising was the aerial dance workshop.
Teachers and students made a six-level altar featuring a colorful sawdust mat, floral offerings, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, different dishes, and the typical papel picado, as well as photographs of loved ones.
Translated by Elisabeth Shields.
For the second year in a row, the large altar on top of the Quiosco de San Juan Cosalá was set on fire. Photo: Courtesy.
Héctor Ruiz Mejía: For the second consecutive year, the Day of the Dead monumental altar on the Kiosk of San Juan Cosalá was set on fire, although this year, unlike last year, the blaze was caused intentionally, according to Luis Guzmán coordinator of the November 1 «Paseo de las Ánimas» event.
Although the identity of the culprits is known, their names have not yet been officially released, said one of the participants of the «Paseo de las Ánimas» who preferred to remain anonymous. Furthermore, according to Luis Guzmán, the organizers were unaware of the fire that broke out in the early hours of November 2nd until the following morning.
«This is not only an offense to me and my team, but to the entire community, since it was the residents themselves who helped to decorate and make the festival a reality,» Guzmán explained, dismayed by the situation.
According to Guzmán ‘s version, all possible precautions were taken and he and his team checked everything before leaving because of their experience of the accidental fire at the last festival caused by a candle that set fire to the altar.
«I personally extinguished all the candles, I made sure that nothing was left burning and regarding the wires, we did not leave a single one, precisely wanting to avoid any kind of short circuit, we checked everything; this, sadly, was intentional,» said Luis, via telephone to Semanario Laguna.
Thus the work of the residents of San Juan Cosalá, which took approximately two weeks to cover the entire Quisco de flores de Cempasuchil, was reduced to ashes in a single night.
According to an anonymous source, the people who caused the fire are already known by the people of San Juan Cosalá themselves. Since the complaint was made unofficially, the suspects are presumed to be public servants whose motive for setting fire to the offering is also unknown.
A meeting will be held at the offices of the delegation between the organizers of the festivity, who are seeking to reveal the culprits so that the events do not happen again. The meeting is scheduled for on Friday, November 5, around 7:00 p.m.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan.
On November 1 and 2, the cemetery was open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm with a Covid checkpoint at the entry.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)– Unlike last year when the municipal cemetery only allowed people to enter to clean the tombstones, this year people were able to decorate the graves of their relatives who have passed away and spend some time together.
The doors of the cemetery were kept open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on November 1 and 2, and strict Covid checkpoints were maintained at the entrance. Visitors were required to wear masks and many did, and sanitizing gel was provided. In addition, Civil Protection personnel were on hand to assist.
«It is a beautiful tradition that year after year we try not to lose, besides being a moment of uniting with our living and our dead. I met many people that I know here and we were happy that this year the cemetery was more accessible and we could stay longer. And we found a very clean cemetery», said one of the Ajijic residents who was at the cemetery.
Inside the cemetery, people were busy cleaning and decorating the tombs, as well as sitting and socializing among families. Every grave, even the oldest and most forgotten, had at least one flower. Outside the cemetery flowers and food were on sale.
The person in charge of the office, Maximiliano «Max» Macías Arceo, said that elements of civil protection and public security were patrolling the cemetery. He also said that there were no mishaps and that people followed the requirements and respected the hours of service.
«The cemetery was not closed as such, because the gate to the stream is missing, but at the time (of closing) people were invited to leave and there were no problems. There were no altercations or mishaps», said Maximiliano «Max» Macías.
Also, on November 2, the cemetery closed one hour later by order of the Chapala City Hall, so that the families had the opportunity to leave their graves ready and clean of the garbage they may have generated during that afternoon.
Translated by Amy Esperanto.
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