Arts & Entertainment

Xochimilco Carnival returns to Mexico City after pandemic

Mexico City, Mar 18 (EFE).- The Carnival of Xochimilco, a town south of Mexico City, returned Friday after being suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and will continue over the weekend with different activities.

“Today we are celebrating the carnival after the pandemic, which caused a lot of damage. Today we go out to celebrate life here at the Xochimilco carnival,” Martin Rosales of the La Misteriosa carnival troupe told EFE.

The Xochimilco Carnival 2022 will continue until Mar.20 in the historical center of the city hall.

One of its main attractions is the parade of 30 troupes, with more than 2,000 chinelos, dancers carrying a costume representing the ancient Spanish conquerors.

The participants of the parade were dressed in long velvet tunics, large palm hats, gloves and beard masks that emulated the Spanish rulers during the colony of New Spain, present-day Mexico.

The parade is marked by the participants dancing through the streets to the tune of music of wind instruments.

“This tradition has been going on for a few years, but it has been reborn thanks to the organization of all the people of the city hall. It is a very beautiful tradition and I am proud to be part of it,” Rosales said.

The celebrations, in which the 16 villages and 18 neighborhoods of Xochimilco participate, were organized every year, until the pandemic arrived.

The carnival marks the festivities prior ahead of the Holy Week, and, apart from the parades, includes concerts and fairs where one can find local crafts and food.

The resumption of the carnival also sparked hope among the people of the city, suffering from the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“With the pandemic the tourist sector was affected in a large part and today with the starting of the carnival we are very happy because we are once again reactivating the economy of Xochimilco,” said Edgar Galindo, member of the Luz de Luna troupe.

The organizers said they expected some 30,000 people to attend the carnival over the three days it is held.

However, in this year’s edition, the organizers pointed out there will be no sale of alcohol during the festival.

According to the Official Gazette of Mexico City, the measure applies to all commercial establishments operating as wine shops, food stores, supermarkets licensed for the sale of wines and spirits, self-service shops and municipal department stores. EFE

jmrg-ia/sc

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