Currently there are at least 10,000 Mexicans registered in Madridaccording to data from the 2023 labor force survey (EPA). And, with this, more than 10,000 people who live their traditions from the capital. These festivities are many and varied, but the best known is the Day of the Dead, which corresponds to the All Hallows Spanish or halloween international. “It has always been a known party because it is colorful and It is surprising that death is shown in a happy waybut since the film was released Coconutit’s crazy,” explains Borja, a Spaniard who has been living in Mexico 12 years old and who receives this medium at the Casa de México, located in the center of Madrid.
The House of Mexico sets up two altars every year for the Day of the Dead, a “monumental” one that is designed by a celebrity, in the case of this 2024 by the film director Eugenio Caballero, and an “intimate” one where the center’s workers place images of their loved ones. Next to the second, between photos of family members, dogs, tequila and flowers, Susana Pliego, director of culture, says that “the altars are set up in homes, hospitals and schools and seek to attract the souls of loved ones.” “Mexicans believe that Children come out of the tombs on the night of the 31st and adults on the night of November 1st. to reunite with their families,” he says.
“We put what they liked to drink, what they liked to eat, their photo, fruits and, yes or yes, they have to contain four elements: air, which is represented by the confetti, which tells us when the souls arrive because it moves; fire, in this case with candles; earth, through chocolate, cinnamon or fruit; water so they can recover from the long journey and salt as preserves so that everything lasts,” he continues. At the end of the route there is a sign that asks for “silence in respect for the lost relatives.” In it, there is a corner for “recollection.” “, as Susana values ​​it, where visitors can write a message to their deceased that the House will then burn with incense “so that everyone reaches heaven.”Here I see people get excited every day“says Borja.
An annual appointment
Ximena, director of the Casa de México, receives 20 minutes with his “best clothes” in front of the monumental altar: “This date is very important for us,” he comments when receiving a compliment. “What dies about Mexicans is the body, but the soul does not die, The soul is what continues to accompany us every Day of the Dead. It’s like a date where we meet with our loved ones and we always celebrate as a family to pamper them. We give them what they like: music, games, coffee… Whims as if they were still alive,” declares the Mexican.
When asked about what it is like to live such an important day miles from its origin, Ximena assures that she is “very happy” because the tradition is becoming better known and “there are altars of the dead all over Madrid”: “I live it more and more with more joy seeing Mexicans approach our altars and Spaniards wanting to know our culture. We receive around 95,000 people on these dates who live how we love our dead. It’s sad because we would like to be in Mexico, but at the same time it’s very nice because we are surrounded by all these visits.
A tradition that is sometimes “overly romanticized”
Sergio Hernández, originally from Mexico City but a citizen of Mejorada del Campo for more than 30 years, experiences it in a similar way. The Mexican explains that this tradition, “of pre-Hispanic origin,” is fundamental to understanding the culture of his country, although he does confess that sometimes “it can be overly romanticized”” and, above all, as a result of the cinematographic phenomenon of Coco. “For us it is also sad to lose loved ones and of course we are afraid of death. The entire romantic and humorous tradition is to make it easier to bear that grief in life. Other traditions such as rhymes about death and decorated catrinas seek the same thing: that what is scary is less important. But we also go to mourn in the cemeteries,” says Sergio.
Sergio remembers this day in his childhood in Mexico in a tender way. He asked for coins and candy on the street with boxes that simulated skulls, what would now be the American “trick or treat”, and they set up altars at home in memory of those who were no longer here. Now, in Madrid, he continues to ride them and, in fact, has made several tributes to accident victims or recognized personalities of Mexico in Mejorada. “It doesn’t matter if they are large and spectacular altars or small and intimate ones.the important thing is, at least once a year, to remember who is no longer in body, but in soul. And if it can be with moles, which is a dish with spices, more delicious food, accompanied by family and with a drink, the better. With this, Sergio shows his chest for “the luck of having an identity that is aware of what is bad, but tries to make it a little less so.”