Day of the Dead: Week-long tribute to Mexican culture begins in Prague today

The seventh edition of the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival in Czechia starts today, Oct. 25, and runs until Nov. 3, 2024. The festival aims to showcase Mexican cultural traditions during Día de Muertos, which is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The week-long celebration will feature a diverse program of events, including traditional, music, dance, crafts activities, family-friendly attractions, theater, and art exhibitions. Festivities kick off on Oct. 25 with an English-language theater show titled La Llorona & Other Stories at Klubovna 2. Patro in Prague 1. The show will run on three separate days.

On Oct. 29, an art exhibition vernissage will take place at the Champagneria bar in Old Town, featuring the works of Mexican artist Alejandra Núñez. The exhibition, titled "En Calma,” will explore the intersection of calmness and Mexican cultural imagery. Admission is totally free.

The main festival will take place on the weekend of Nov. 2-3 at the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures. The event will feature traditional altars, workshops, and family activities, including skull decorating, Wixarika art, paper crafting, and face painting. 

Notably, a lively procession through Bethlehem Square and the center of Prague will take place on Nov. 2, celebrating life, death, and the community spirit, according to organizers and official Facebook page.

Live performances will include Mariachi music, traditional dances, and regional Mexican music. A Catrina contest (in which participants dress up as La Catrina, originally a satirical skeleton figure) and piñata fun for children are also planned. 

In addition to the main festival, a film screening of the Mexican film Cronos will take place on Nov. 2 at Ponrepo Cinema in Prague 1. The film explores themes of time, memory, and the afterlife, adding depth to the festival's reflection on life and death—entry is free, but tickets must be ordered online.

The Día de Muertos CZ Festival is a collaborative effort between several institutions and the Mexican community in Prague, endorsed by the Mexican Embassy in the Czech Republic, which has also played a key role in fostering cultural ties between the two countries.

“The Día de Muertos collective is made up of teachers, scientists, engineers, and artists, all using their talents and dedication to create something truly special,” said festival dirctor Roxana Velasco.