Inauguration of the Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights that illuminate the Parque Central and Calle del Arco were inaugurated on the night of December 1st with fireworks, …
Ferris wheel in the town fair of San Pedro Las Huertas
Of course, it wouldn’t be a town fair with out a Ferris wheel, mechanical games, all kinds of street food vendors, live …
Torito Burning in the town fair of San Pedro Las Huertas
As I mentioned earlier, as part of the Feast of Corpus Christi in the town fairs of Antigua Guatemala all kinds of …
Corpus Christi Procession in the town fair of San Pedro Las Huertas
The Feast of Corpus Christi marks the start of the town fairs of the villages in La Antigua Guatemala and surrounding communities. …
Setting up the Corpus Christi Decorations at the Former Catedral de Santiago in Antigua Guatemala
The Feast of Corpus Christi marks the beginning of the town fairs season in Antigua Guatemala and surrounding villages. Today I share …
Decorations for the Day of the Holy Cross
Today is observed and celebrated the Día de la Santa Cruz, Day of the Holy Cross,in the Catholic world. As in previous …
Let’s Celebrate 16th Years of Daily Life Photographs from Antigua Guatemala and its People
It was on May Day 2006 that I began sharing daily life vistas from Antigua Guatemala at my blog for the colonial …
Have a Guatemalan-style Merry Christmas
Christmas day is such a quite and relaxing time in Guatemala, except for the burning of fireworks and firecrackers at noon and …
Antigua Guatemala’s Flower Festival 2021
This past weekend Antigua Guatemala dressed up many of its façades, fountains and parks with flower arrangements. The photograph above show the …
Happy Bicentennial of Guatemala’s Independence
Today Guatemala and the other Central American countries commemorate the bicentennial of the independence. As part of the no-crowds celebrations, the Banco de Guatemala put in circulation a Commemorative Bicentennial Twenty Quetzals bill… TAP to see the full size photos of the new Q20 bill and to read the complete post.
Let’s Begin the Bicentennial Celebrations
This week Guatemala and the other countries in Central America will be celebrating their 200th anniversary of Independence. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, most massive events will not be allowed. So, Guatemalans are mostly observing the special date with flags, firecracker bombs and fireworks… TAP to see the full size photo and post.
June 17th is Father’s Day in Guatemala
In Guatemala holidays and festivities are not celebrated on the weekend unless that’s date a holiday falls. Today, for instance, we celebrate Día del padre, Father’s Day.
Today is the Día de la Santa Cruz
On May 3rd Latin Americans celebrate the Day of the Holy Cross as well the Day of the Construction Worker. The Day …
Makeshift photo studio for Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day
On December 12, children are dressed up to commemorate Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day. In the atrium of Parroquia de La …
Burning of the Devil in Antigua Guatemala Will Be an Ecological and Virtual Celebration for 2020
Needless to say 2020 is an atypical year, thus no burning of the devil celebration will be held in Antigua Guatemala as …
The Quietest Guatemala’s Independence Day to Date
For obvious reasons, this was the quietest and more solemn Independence Day celebrations that I have ever experience in Guatemala. Other than …
Guatemala’s Independence Flags at Palacio del Ayuntamiento
Guatemala’s Independence is celebrated through the entire month of September even though the official date falls on the 15th. Independence bunting is …
Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrations in Antigua Guatemala
As every year, on December 12, kids are dressed up to commemorate Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day. All around the atrium …
Visual Overview of the 4th Avocado Festival in Antigua Guatemala
The 4th Avocado Festival of Antigua Guatemala was once again a total success. 150 fortunate attendees were able to experience and taste …
Día de los Reyes in Antigua Guatemala
For Día de Reyes or Epiphany we break a piece of bread known as Rosca de Día de los Reyes. Whoever gets the plastic baby placed inside has to pay for the tamales and ponche on Día de la Candelaria, February 2nd, or Groundhog Day. Click through the link to see Rosca de Día de los Reyes…
End of the Year Celebrations in Antigua Guatemala
In Antigua Guatemala we celebrate the end of the year and welcome the new year with lots of music, dances, plays, and …
Walking Among Giants in Antigua Guatemala
Since we are talking about the Gigantes, which are used in Dances of the Giants or Baile de los Gigantes, through this link you will find the agenda of activities for The End of the Year Festival at Calle del Arco. Enjoy!
Nativity Scene Inside Iglesia La Merced in Antigua Guatemala
The Nacimiento inside Iglesia La Merced is huge. I had to use a fisheye lens to capture most it and I still missed at least 25% of the Nativity scene. Click the link to watch a short video clip of this Nativity Scene.
First Antigua Estelar Festival
As part of the First Antigua Estelar Festival we were treated to a night of music recital, theater, plays, astrology talks, body …
Portrait of La Llorona at Calle del Arco, Antigua Guatemala
Follow the white rabbit if you would like to learn about La Llorona! As part of the 3-day Day of the Dead …
Shooting the Guatemalan Fiambre Preparation for Day of the Dead
As I mentioned in another post, as part of the Day of the Dead photography workshop on November 1st, we shot two …
Giant Kites Fly High Above The Mayan Graveyards of Guatemala
For All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead in Guatemala there are some huge kites on display as shown in previous …
The Raising of a 17-meter Giant Kite for All Saints’ Day
The cooperative “Jóvenes Pioneros” a 30-member group at the moment they raise their 17-meter giant kite with the theme Identidad, Identity, at …
Mayan girls play around a tombstone for All Saints’ Day
Mayan girl Rosa Guadalupe and her siblings play around the family tombstones by throwing into the air “flores de muerto,” marigolds or …
Mayan girl ushers passers-by into a kite shop for All Saints’ Day
Holga, Mayan girl tends and ushers passers-by into a kite shop for All Saints’ Day celebrations in Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. Day of …
Day of the Dead Photography Workshop
As part of the Day of the Dead photography workshop on November 1st, we shot two Mayan graveyards one Spanish cemetery; giant …
Giant Kites for All Saints’ Day in Santiago Sacatepequez
Visitors enjoy the giant kites on display at the cemetery of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, a tradition which dates back more than 119 …
Maya Woman and the Giant Kite of Day of the Dead
A Mayan woman records a video of the raising the 17-meter giant kite with the theme: «Identidad», Identity, at the cemetery of …
Day of the Dead Is Family Time
In Guatemala Day of the Dead is a celebration that reunites the living with the dead. They say that you’re not dead …
Kite Flying Season Will Begin Soon in Guatemala
We could argue that officially the kite flying season begins with the celebrations of All Saints Day and Day of the Dead …
Mayan Family Gathering for Day of the Dead
All Saints Day and Day of the Dead are the perfect occasion for large family gatherings in Guatemala. Families bring fiambre and …
Christmas season festivities around Antigua Guatemala
As I have mentioned many times before, the dry season is the best time to visit Guatemala. During the dry season we …
No Sympathy for the Devil
All year long he hides under the bed or in the junk piled up in the corner, casting misfortune or worse on …
Revisited: Sympathy for the Devil
After spending a week at the emergency room of the IGSS hospital, the Devil is back a few broken bones, but ready …
School Parades for Independence Day Celebrations
As I have mentioned before in the archives, in Guatemala we celebrate Independence Day the entire month of September. Here’s a vista …
Corpus Christi Celebrations in the Villages of Antigua Guatemala
Corpus Christi celebrations mark the start of the town fairs of the villages of Antigua Guatemala and surrounding communities. Here’s a vista …
First Ever Desfile Bufo of the Huelga de Dolores in Antigua Guatemala
How about a satirical parade about a procession? As I said before, in Antigua Guatemala the two most popular form of manifestation …
Here comes Noche Buena to Antigua Guatemala
Here’s your illustrated Spanish words of the day: Noche Buena, literal good night, for Christmas Eve. Noche Buena is such an important …
Guatemalan syncretism knows no limits!
When it comes to popular religious celebrations Guatemalan syncretism knows no limits. Watch these short video clips that include diablos, devils, moros …
2016 Slideshow of the Burning of the Devil in Antigua Guatemala
A few thousand people get together at Barrio de la Concepción in Antigua Guatemala at 6pm on December 7 for the burning …
Oktoberfest in Antigua Guatemala
Oktoberfest is celebrated in many venues in Antigua Guatemala. Here’s the 2nd Oktoberfest from Chermol, one of the restaurants betting the house …
Columbus Day or Indigenous People Day
Let’s just celebrate our diversity today and everyday! Today is a national holiday in Guatemala: Día de la Raza. So, I would …
Have a Happy Guatemalan Independence Day
First of all, I want to wish a very happy Guatemalan Independence Day to all the loyal readers out there! With each …
Independence Day Children School Parades
We continue our Independence Day celebrations coverage with this photograph of a couple little girls marching as part of a school parade, …
The Independence Flame is Ready for the Torches
Since last Saturday, September 10, the “Flame of Independence” was set out at the doorsteps of Palacio del Ayuntamiento of Antigua Guatemala. …
Let the Independence Day Celebrations Begin
I know, I know, Independence Day is officially observed on September 15. However, we don’t know how to celebrate just one day. …
Street Portraits of Strangers — Alejandra
Alejandra is a student showing off her attire for the Saint James Feast school parades. As I have mentioned before, in Antigua …
Día de Santiago Festivities
As every July 25, La Antigua Guatemala, formerly known as La Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros …
Guatemalan Carnival Eggshells
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Cascarón for eggshell. What do we do with cascarones? Well, young people (i.e. children …
Convite Costume Dance from San Pedro Las Huertas for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Convites are a very unusual kind of parade from Guatemala. The most famous convites are from Ciudad Vieja, Sumpango, El Tejar, Villa …
Dragons, Devils, Death and A Virgin in San Pedro Las Huertas, Antigua Guatemala
As every December 12, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe is observed in Guatemala. Unlike other years where I normally head to …
Ciudad Vieja’s Town Fair Rides
Ferias, or town fairs, would be quite boring if fair rides were not there to light up and make for a fun …
Burning of the Devil Portraits
El hombre propone, Dios dispone y El Diablo lo descompone. What better way to caption these portraits of strangers at the Burning …
Sympathy for the Devil
Well, not really. See you see all these masks are for parades celebrated through out Guatemala, but prominently at Ciudad Vieja and …
Guatemala’s Independence Day Parades
Once again, as every September 15, the streets of La Antigua Guatemala were filled with students marching to all kind of sounds, …
Guatemalan Independence Celebrations
Have A Happy Independence Day everyone! Guatemala has one really strange celebration for the Independence Day festivities: Freedom Torches or Antorchas de …
Happy Guatemalan Father’s Day
As I have mentioned before, in Guatemala we still celebrate holidays on the actual date they happen to fall on. For instance, …
Día de la Santa Cruz at El Calvario, Antigua Guatemala
On May 3 the Day of Construction Worker is observed as well as the Day of the Holy Cross because they are …
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Antigua Guatemala
Once again, as every December 12, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe is observed in Antigua Guatemala. As I have said before, …
Happy Guatemalan Mother’s Day from Antigua Guatemala
This portrait of a Guatemalan teacher, mother and perhaps even grandmother serves as the portrait of a the typical Guatemalan mother. In …
Día de Reyes Magos at San Gaspar Vivar
In Christian tradition the Magi (Greek: μάγοι, magoi), Three Wise Men, Three Kings or Kings from the East are said to have …
New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Antigua Guatemala
Yo no olvido al año viejo (I don’t forget the old year) Porque me ha dejado cosas muy buenas: (Because it left …
Christmas Fireworks Street Shop
Guatemala’s a pyromaniac hell or paradise, what is it? Since Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are the perfect night for fireworks …
Guatemalan Convivios
December is also the time for convivios, Christmas convivial get-together parties or lunches. Almost every restaurant you go to has tables setup …
Holy Thursday Photos from Antigua Guatemala
These photographs belong to the procession of Santuario de San Francisco El Grande. Nelo explains that the two wood rods that stick …
Velaciones during Lent and the Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala
As explained before during the Lent Food series, Lent has some food that is associated with it and sold at the food …
Antigua Guatemala Celebrates it’s 470th Anniversary
The fountains are decorated with flower arrangements as part of the low profile celebrations for Antigua Guatemala’s 470th anniversary this March 10th. …
Let Lent Begin in Antigua Guatemala
With the Ash Wednesday religious ceremony begins the 40-day period known in Spanish as Cuaresma, Lent, which ends with Semana Santa, Holy …
Colourful Guatemalan Carnival Eggshells
Ordinarily, I begin by asking readers to recall their earliest memories to provide a context for corpocratic historians of the future… Could …
The Three Wise Kings Day or Epiphany in Antigua Guatemala
Unlike other catholic countries, Guatemala does not make a big deal of the arrival of the Tres Reyes Magos (Three Wise Kings) …
New Year’s Fireworks Shows in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is the preferred destination for Christmas Even and New Year’s Eve celebrations because Antigüeños know how put on a good …
Guatemalan Nativity Scene for Christmas Eve
Guatemalans begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes) around December 15; a tradition that was brought to Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro …
Message to the Sky and to 13 Baktun
For the second time this year, hot air paper balloons where released on the star-lit night right in front of Antigua Guatemala …
Burning of the Devil in Antigua Guatemala
All year long he hides under the bed or in the junk piled up in the corner, casting misfortune or worse on …