MOSCOW, June 28. /TASS/. Moscow residents and the capital’s guests will be able to enjoy the music of Mexican mariachi musicians and carnival "skeleton dances" during the celebration of the Day of the Dead, which will be improvised on the streets of Moscow. The Day of the Dead is an annual holiday in several Latin American countries. The Mexican Embassy in Russia informed that the carnival celebrating an ancient Mexican tradition would take place on June 29 in Moscow, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
"The central streets of Moscow will fill with the spirit of this unique festival of Pre-Colombian era, which honors beloved family members who had already passed away," the diplomats said.
The parade will begin at 16:00 at the Mexico House in the Moscow Gostiny Dvor, and end near the FIFA Park on the Red Square.
According to Mexican representatives, the spectators will be able to see artists in typical costumes, dancing on the street to the music from "The Carnival of Lovers" (El Carnaval de Enamorados) and "The Great Dance of Skulls" (El Gran Fandango de Calaveras). "At 17:00, participants of the event will witness choreographic dances and performances of the mariachi, see a traditional altar and watch a video that would talk about the history and the roots of the Day of the Dead," the embassy said.
Head of the Mexico Tourism Board Hector Flores stated that the Day of the Dead is a wonderful opportunity for Moscow residents and guests to experience something new. According to him, this celebration "is full of magnificent decorations, delicious tastes, appetizing smells and dazzling celebrations, which have been passed on from generation to generation." "This year, World Cup visitors will get to experience it for themselves."
Representatives of Russian and Mexican officials will attend the event.
About the celebration
The celebration that honors the memory of the dead takes place on November 1-2 of every year in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. In 2003, it made the UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. A carnival is held during these days, people cook candies in the form of skulls and figures of female skeletons wearing dresses, resembling the goddess of death Catrina.
Mexico and Sweden made it out of Group F and entered the knockout stage of the World Cup. Mexico will face Brazil in the 1/8 finals.