The rich Mexican culture is not only found in the food of the local restaurants, but is also manifested through traditional festivities such as the Day of the Dead. This celebration, which coincides with the chestnut festival in Catalonia, has found a special place in Barcelona during the last year.
Amics de La Rambla, together with Mexcat (a Mexican cultural association in Catalonia), are organizing for the second time the “Barcelona Catrinas Parade” in honor of the Mexican Day of the Dead.
Anyone interested is invited to participate in the parade that will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 12:00 noon.
This celebration is a playful and festive activity open to everyone, where people dress up as “catrinas”, typical figures associated with the Day of the Dead tradition.
Catrinas are well-dressed and elegant skeletal figures, traditionally feminine but open to creative reinterpretations.
These figures incorporate a combination of creativity, color and baroque, often mixed with solemnity and carnivalesque debauchery.
How to participate in the Day of the Dead Catrinas Parade
The parade route will run along La Rambla, ending at Plaza de Colón, and group photos will be taken at various iconic locations along the route, such as the Palau de la Virreina, the Liceu, Plaza Real and the monument to Colón.
An independent jury will evaluate aspects such as makeup, costumes and originality to award prizes to the best catrina, the best couple and the most original catrina.
To participate, it is necessary to register individually, in pairs or in groups. Those interested should send an e-mail to mexcat.org@gmail.com, indicating the name of the participants, age, the name of the catrina they will represent and any other details that may help the jury to better identify them.
A Mexican tradition in Barcelona
The Catrina is a central figure in Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration, depicted as a skeleton elegantly dressed and adorned with flowers and accessories.
Although on Halloween or Carnival you can see Catrina costumes, the Catrina parade on La Rambla, for the second year in a row, is a unique opportunity to experience the richness of Mexican culture in Barcelona.
On November 4, a group of catrinas will descend from the top of La Rambla, displaying their colorful dresses along the promenade and stopping to take pictures at emblematic places along the route.
The invitation is open to individuals, couples or groups to freely express their creativity and ingenuity in the interpretation of the catrina costume.
The independent jury will recognize outstanding participants with prizes for the best catrina, the most original catrina and the best couple.
