TANDEM Cultural Program: Route of altars of Madrid

The Day of the Dead is a tradition that originated in America and today is celebrated in most Christian countries, coinciding with All Saints’ Day. It usually occurs on November 1 and 2 of each year and in some countries in begins in October 31, which in Anglo-Saxon countries corresponds to the Halloween night.

All this mixture of different cultures creates a series of very interesting festivities at this time of year. The Mexican one is one of the most original, so today it is considered Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The culture of the dead comes from pre-Columbian cultures in Mexico, especially the Aztec, and gradually began to assume a varied culture that includes music, literature, fine arts, gastronomy and above all a peculiar imagery whose skulls are the main icon.

With this event, you can get to know a little bit of that Mexican tradition and its culture, visiting a series of colorful altars in places of great tourist interest.

A way to get to know the celebration of the Mexican people’s “cult of death” in an entertaining and instructive way. In addition to learning, it is a way to make us reflect on the meaning of our existences and to enjoy with passion every second of our lives.

In this frighten week we will also have a walk through the Madrid de los Fantasmas. If you want to learn more about All Saints’ Day festivities, Halloween and the Day of the Dead in Madrid, read this article “Halloween in Spain: an American celebration?“.