day of the dead

Maya Woman and the Giant Kite of Day of the Dead

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A Mayan woman records a video of the raising the 17-meter giant kite with the theme: «Identidad», Identity by Rudy Giron

A Mayan woman records a video of the raising the 17-meter giant kite with the theme: «Identidad», Identity, at the cemetery of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, which was created by the cooperative “Jóvenes Pioneros” a 30-member group. This photograph was captured as part of my intensive Day of the Dead photo workshop. We had a full … Read more

Day of the Dead Is Family Time

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Family gets together for Day of the Dead at the Mayan graveyard of Santiago Sacatepequez by Rudy

In Guatemala Day of the Dead is a celebration that reunites the living with the dead. They say that you’re not dead until you’re forgotten. Well, in Guatemala you are remembered for much much longer as families set up a little shrine at home with your portrait, flowers and candles to always keep you present … Read more

Kite Flying Season Will Begin Soon in Guatemala

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Kites on sale at a house in San Miguel Escobar, Ciudad Vieja by Rudy Giron

We could argue that officially the kite flying season begins with the celebrations of All Saints Day and Day of the Dead on November 1st. Yet, kites start to show on tienditas and houses doorways such as shown here as early as the last week of September. The kite flying season coincides with los vientos … Read more

Mayan Family Gathering for Day of the Dead

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Mayan Family Gathering for Day of the Dead by Rudy Giron

All Saints Day and Day of the Dead are the perfect occasion for large family gatherings in Guatemala. Families bring fiambre and other foods to spend time at the graveyards remembering family members who have buried there. Kids and adults fly kites to help the dead reunite with the living. For third consecutive year I … Read more

Day of the Dead Photo Workshop in Guatemala

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Day of the Dead in Guatemala Photo Workshop with photographer Rudy Giron

Experience one the most impressive, colorful and photogenic traditions in the world and festivals: Day of the Dead and its Giant Kite Festival in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala with renown photographer Rudy Giron. Join me on an amazing photographic exploration of the Mayan highlands around Day of the Dead celebrations, the Giant Kites festivities … Read more

The Giant Kites of Guatemala

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Here’s your Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Barriletes for kites. In my humble opinion, Santiago Sacatepequez is the most photogenic location to watch in awe the magnificent giant kites of Guatemala because they are flown form the graveyard, with people running in all directions over the tombstones. What’s your favorite spot to watch the … Read more

Be part of the most photogenic Day of the Dead event in Guatemala

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Be part of the most photogenic Day of the Dead event in Guatemala

The festival of Barriletes Gigantes of Guatemala takes place in at least three villages of Sacatepequez: Santiago Sacatepequez, the original and most authentic location, Sumpango and Santa María Cauque. To me the most photogenic place is Santiago since the giant kites are flown over a Mayan graveyard. This festival is full of color and hundreds … Read more

Day of the Dead in Antigua Guatemala

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Día de los Difuntos or Day of the Dead is observed in Guatemala on November 2. This means that for a few days the all white necropolis of Antigua Guatemala receives a surge in color, especially yellows, oranges, and reds. Here’s the niche section full of color. The mausoleum area did not receive as much … Read more

Be part of the exceptional Day of the Dead Photography Workshop and Photo Walks in Guatemala

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This November 1st, I will be leading a fabulous and unique photography workshop and photo walks to document the giant kites plus the Day of the Dead & All Saints Day festivities through the Mayan graveyard of Santiago Sacaptepéquez, the aristocrat necropolis of Antigua Guatemala and the mestizo cemetery of Ciudad Vieja, three distinct burial … Read more

Day of the Dead in Guatemala

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You are not dead until you are forgotten! As I have mentioned before, Guatemala’s real culture is syncretism and thus death plays an important role in traditions and culture. Guatemala is the real ‘melting pot’ and the final product is called mestizo. A mestizo is an individual that comes in many shades of brown and … Read more

Guatemala’s Fiambre

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Fiambre de Guatemala by Rudy Girón

There’s no way to go by Día de Todos Los Santos (All Saints’ Day) and Día de los Fieles Difuntos (All Souls’ Day) celebrations in Guatemala without showing the world-famous and omnipresent dish of Fiambre. No way José, I would never do that, not for some imperfect-perfect kites photos.

Have you ever seen more colorful salad?

The Fiambre Creator of La Antigua Guatemala

Once again I present to you the fiambre creator from La Antigua Guatemala. Every first and second of November he withdraws the fiambre recipe that has delighted the taste buds of the most demanding fiambre connoisseur for over 27 years. From his unassuming Lo-Mix comedor set on 7a calle poniente No. 25B, he begins, like an artist, to paint the canvas with different shades of green lettuce, adding more colors, textures and flavors with each layer from a tasteful palette of over 40 ingredients.

Below you can find a slideshow with each step of the process of creating the colorful fiambre chapín.

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Sumpango’s Cemetery for All Saints’ Day

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The two most important towns that have giant kite flying on Todos los santos, All Saints’ Day and Día de los difuntos, Day of the Dead, are Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez. However, both days are celebrated throughout Guatemala by going to the cemetery to remember the dead, to take flowers, to clean and paint the … Read more