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Central Mexico breaks world record for longest sawdust carpet

Tlaxcala, Mexico, Aug 15 (EFE).- A sawdust “carpet” or mat 3,932 meters (almost 12,900 feet) long on Monday broke the Guinness record for the world’s longest ground covering of this type in the town of Huamantla, in Mexico’s central Tlaxcala state.

The milestone was achieved at dawn, when the streets of Huamantla became canvases for artisans to use colored sawdust to ceate the lengthy carpeting as part of the Aug. 14-15 festivities in honor of the Virgen de la Caridad.

The carpet, made by 240 artisans using 80 tons of multicolored sawdust, beat the previous Guinness record of 2,319 meters set in Guatemala.

“We are very happy to see the rugs again in our streets to brighten up the city and give life to the tradition of Huamantla,” Maria Beatriz Romero Gonzalez said after participating for the first time in the placement of the carpets, an event that had been suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ines Vinicio Garcia, an artisan, said she was proud to help create this ephemeral piece of artwork that has characterized the town.

Materials such as cardboard, sawdust painted in up to 19 colors are prepared in advance and strainers are made using perforated cans so the artisans can distribute the basic material on top of the mold and shape the mats, she added.

“It’s the most wonderful thing in the world,” said Bienve, a visitor, after strolling along the more than 40 streets participating in the celebration.

Sawdust carpets are traditionally created to greet a religious procession that walks over them.

EFE ggg/ta-bp

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