"Lupita" is the nickname for Guadalupe, and the twelfth of December is the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and beloved mother of Mexico. Festivities begin a week in advance and culminate in huge street parties and fireworks with marching bands and dancing giant puppets. These festivals are called "Candelas."
We happen to live across the street from a small church dedicated to the V. of G., and so of course we attended the candela. Fireworks like these are not to be missed.
I hope the above video works. It shows the last portion of the burning of the castillo - an amazing, sixty-to-seventy foot structure made of bamboo (I think). It had six separately rotating wheels with designs on them - doves, hearts, stars, and in this case, Mickey Mouse. A Giant wheel on the front rotates along a different axis, and this one was a spiral that was truly wonderful. And lastly, at the top, yet another rotating wheel spells out in words of fire "Viva La Lupita 2012."
Compare the height of the castillo to the telephone pole on the right. It's easily four stories high.
Alas, I didn't get any good pictures of the toritos ... the castillo is the main event, but before that, there are several toritos, which are paper mache and bamboo bulls decorated with fireworks and made to be worn over the head. Volunteers wear the bulls, set them alight, and dance around, charging the crowd and spinning. You can see the bull in the background to the left.
What a happy celebration Aimee, sadly the video did not work (for me) it says an error occurred, try again later, maybe I'll have another try tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteChristmas for us here is going to be a quiet day this year, my daughter is in US and visiting the tourist spots in LA before traveling on to Toronto to have Christmas with her daughter who is living and working there for a couple of years.
My son is having his kids come from all over Oz to his place in Canberra. Its rather disappointing for me as it was my turn to have Christmas celebrations here last year, they stayed while I spent the time in hospital (lol)
I expect that you will be missing your daughter Rowan, but they do "grow up" and spread their wings.
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous, Healthy and Happy New Year.
Thank you so much, Olive. Will you be going to Canberra as well? Either way, I hope you enjoy your holidays. As a matter of fact, we are picking up Rowan at the airport tonight! She will be here with us for Christmas, and we are thrilled.
ReplyDeleteSo, it will be a Merry Christmas for all of your family together again. No we will not be going to Canberra, they have an over flowing house already (no room at the inn)ha-ha. My son's kids are all adult, married, partnered, you get what I mean. We will be home alone.
ReplyDeleteNup !! the video is still cactus !!