For obvious reasons, this was the quietest and more solemn Independence Day celebrations that I have ever experience in Guatemala. Other than a few speeches, the day went by just like any other day.
Guatemala’s Independence is celebrated through the entire month of September even though the official date falls on the 15th. Independence bunting is often found in doorways, windows, balconies, etc. The Palacio del Ayuntamiento, [City Hall Palace] in the Main Plaza is a popular spot for placing Guatemalan flags in the hand rails of the second … Read more
As every year, on December 12, kids are dressed up to commemorate Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day. All around the atrium of Parroquia de La Merced [Our Lady of Mercy parrish] makeshift photo studios are set up to capture portraits of the children dressed with the attires of the indigenous people. Follow the white … Read more
The 4th Avocado Festival of Antigua Guatemala was once again a total success. 150 fortunate attendees were able to experience and taste many different avocado creations, sweet and salty, finger food, desserts or main dishes, the avocado was the main ingredient of the day. The 4th Avocado Festival was held on Casa Popenoe on March … Read more
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…
In Antigua Guatemala we celebrate the end of the year and welcome the new year with lots of music, dances, plays, and fireworks and firecrackers. Here I share with you the burning of Alas [wings] fireworks and below a popular Torito [little bull] fireworks at Calle del Arco on the last night of 2018. I … Read more
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!
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.
As part of the First Antigua Estelar Festival we were treated to a night of music recital, theater, plays, astrology talks, body painting, light painting and telescopes to see the stars at Parque Central and Calle del Arco. The cello recital in front of Real Palacio de los Capitanes was one of my favorites. November … Read more
Follow the white rabbit if you would like to learn about La Llorona! As part of the 3-day Day of the Dead photography workshop we do a photo walk on the afternoon and evening of Halloween to capture the latin vibes of this celebration on the streets of Antigua Guatemala. We focused in capturing the … Read more
As I mentioned in another post, as part of the Day of the Dead photography workshop on November 1st, we shot two Mayan graveyards one Spanish cemetery; giant kites on display and flying, the fiambre preparation with a family who have been doing for over 45 years as shown above; a special All Saints Day … Read more
For All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead in Guatemala there are some huge kites on display as shown in previous posts. Of course, the majority of giant kites do fly. Here I captured the moment this kite is raised into the sky. This photograph was captured as part of my intensive Day of … Read more
The cooperative “Jóvenes Pioneros” a 30-member group at the moment they raise their 17-meter giant kite with the theme Identidad, Identity, at the cemetery of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, a tradition which dates back more than 119 years. This photograph was captured as part of my intensive Day of the Dead photo workshop. We had a … Read more
Mayan girl Rosa Guadalupe and her siblings play around the family tombstones by throwing into the air “flores de muerto,” marigolds or flowers of the dead at the graveyard of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala on All Saints Day. Day of the Dead in Guatemala is a celebration that reunites the living with the dead. This photograph … Read more
Holga, Mayan girl tends and ushers passers-by into a kite shop for All Saints’ Day celebrations in Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. Day of the Dead and All Saints’ Day in Guatemala are celebrations that reunite the living with the dead. This photograph was captured as part of my intensive Day of the Dead photo workshop. We … Read more