FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS

Mexico City has always been considered the center of celebrations and religious festivities, yet it maintains the important traditions that prevail in other states across the nation. The festive atmosphere at these celebrations is cause for rejoice, particularly on holidays when the nation?s cultural and historical values reinforce the Mexican people?s sense of identity, such as Independence Day in the Zocalo. On Sept. 15, the night of the so-called Independence Day cry, the main square becomes a huge fiesta full of colorful lights, music and all kinds of traditional Mexican food. Day of the Dead, an ancient tradition carried out each year on Nov. 2 to remember the deceased, is also an important national holiday. Some of the most beautiful Day of the Dead ceremonies and rituals take place in Mixquic. Another important religious celebration, Candlemas, falls on Feb. 2. This day marks the presentation of the infant Christ to the church. On that day in Mexico, families get together to eat tamales, drink atole and enjoy each other?s company. As part of Mexico?s Easter festivities, in Iztapalapa Catholic adherents reenact the passion and death of Jesus Christ on the Cerro de la Estrellas. The reenactment has many years of tradition in Mexico City.