By THE PULSE NEWS MEXICO STAFF

The covid-19 pandemic may still be surging in Jalisco, but that is not going to keep Mexico’s “Tapatio State” from celebrating one of the country’s most deep-rooted and picturesque national holidays, the Day of the Dead, observed on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.

In order to continue the traditional celebration of Día de Muertos — a colorful annual festival that has its roots in pre-Hispanic indigenous rituals, but has incorporated and been absorbed into modern Catholic liturgy — the home of Mexico’s mariachis and tequila has created a series of events that will allow its residents and outsiders to mark the two-day holiday without violating safe social distancing and mask-wearing ordinances.

Among the activities being organized by the Jalisco government are Catrina courses, exhibitions of marigold-laden altars, walking tours, parades and numerous virtual events.

The state will begin offering these activities in late October, and strict anti-covid guidelines will be enforced to keep everyone safe.

If the city of Tequila (birthplace of the world-renowned spirit with the same name), the largest Day of the Dead altar in the state will be on public display starting on Oct. 28 at the Casa Sauza distillery.

Casa Sauza will also sponsor a virtual concert of the esteemed Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, generally considered to be the best mariachi band in Mexico.

In the Municipio de San Pedro Tlaquepaque, on the edge of the capital city of Guadalajara, there will be an exhibit of diverse altars to the dead, as well as a virtual parade of Catrina brides.

And the restaurants in the gastronomic corridor of Tlaquepaque will offer special menus of favorite Day of the Dead cuisine, including mole and tamales.

In Guadalajara proper, there will be a live, in-person Catrina parade with dances, musical performances and short video projections.

For those who are interested in the history of the Day of the Dead, the Municipio of Jamay, near Lake Chapala, will present nightly shows and walking tours, as well as a Day of the Dead photographic competition.

Most cemeteries in the state, however, will be closed for traditional Día de Muertos family gatherings in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus that produced covid-19.

…Oct. 24, 2020