Puerto Vallarta Celebrates the Mexican Tradition of the Day of the Dead
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PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico - illiNews -- Preparations for Puerto Vallarta's annual homage to the "Dia de Muertos" or Day of the Dead, one of Mexico's most well-known traditions and a celebration, are already on the way in Mexico's Pacific Coast cultural beach destination.

The artistic soul of Puerto Vallarta is at a high during the "Día De Muertos" celebrations which will take place until Nov. 2nd, and there are many activities taking place, including art exhibitions, folkloric ballet, Mexican nights, mariachis, and catrinas contest, allowing locals and visitors to experience the traditional and modern cults to the people who left us.

Puerto Vallarta's Malecon itself becomes an open-air art gallery with many of the destination's hotels and restaurants decorating the boardwalks many palm trees in Dia de Muertos characters and building shrines to loved ones.

The popular belief is that the souls of the loved ones who left us return from beyond the grave during the Day of the Dead. For this reason, they are received with an offering where they place their favorite food and drink, fruit, sweet calaveritas and, if necessary, toys for the children.

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A very important part of this tradition involves visiting the cemeteries. Either during the day or night, families come and place candles on graves as a way to illuminate the path of souls on their return home.

Something inevitable at each dinner and offering is the delicious pan de muerto (bread of the dead). There are different styles and forms. The most popular is round, covered in white or red sugar, with strips that simulate bones.

In 2008 UNESCO declared Día de Muertos as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of Mexico. According to tradition, the deceased children are celebrated on November 1, and adults are celebrated on the 2nd. However, for the Catholic Church, day 2 is for everyone, since the 1st is the Feast of All Saints.

For more images and video of the Day of the Dead, please click here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qaxt02ablj2mmi7/AABqTg9ymDnbbkanjvxxnCs7a?dl=0