Paseo de las Ánimas grows into international event

The mayor leads Friday night's Paseo de las Ánimas procession. Photo: Courtesy
The mayor leads Friday night’s Paseo de las Ánimas procession. Photo: Courtesy

Mérida, Yucatán — A yearly celebration that has grown to become a full-fledged international attraction, the Paseo de las Ánimas returns Friday, Oct. 27.

People from around the world are planning to come, said Marilia Villarreal Garza, of the municipal tourism department.

In 2016, the streets were jammed with 50,000 participants, many in costumes and face paint invoking the Day of the Dead. That number represented a 20 percent larger crowd than the previous year.

The procession crowds 20 blocks in the city’s south, on Calle 66 between the general cemetery and the San Juan Arch.

Paseo de las Ánimas 2016 in Mérida, YucatánAlong the path, more than 230 altars were built by families, community councils, civil and academic organizations.

Since 2008, when the city introduced the “Procession of the Souls,” the event has been embraced by young people.

The blow-out event is the high point of an entire festival that precedes Hanal Pixán, the local variant of Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations.

On social media, some of the best photos were posted:

Paseo de las Ánimas 2016 in Mérida, Yucatán
Photo: Facebook
Paseo de las Ánimas 2016 in Mérida, Yucatán
Photo: Facebook
Paseo de las Ánimas 2016 in Mérida, Yucatán
Photo: Facebook
Paseo de las Ánimas 2016 in Mérida, Yucatán
Photo: Facebook
Paseo de las Ánimas 2016 in Mérida, Yucatán
Photo: Facebook
Paseo de las Ánimas 2016 in Mérida, Yucatán
Photo: Facebook
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