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
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, fiambre preparation with a family who have been doing for over 45 years; a special All Saints Day procession in Antigua Guatemala plus sawdust carpet-making process themed around … Read more
Visitors enjoy the giant kites on display at the cemetery of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, a tradition which dates back more than 119 years. Most of the giant kites on display measure more than 20 meters across. This photograph was captured as part of my intensive Day of the Dead photo workshop. We had a full … Read more
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
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
As some of you may already know, I lead photo walks at three distinct cemeteries on All Saints Day. After a photography workshop on travel and street photography, we headed to the Mayan village of Santiago Sacatepequez, cradle of the giant kites and kites cooperatives. Rain was forecasted, but we were fortunate to have only … Read more
I am still getting over a cold, so I was a bit hesitant to leave home for All Saints Day. However, since a friend reminded me to pick up some fiambre she saved for me, which tasted just like the one my Mom makes. So, anyway, I ended up doing a lot of driving just … Read more
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
Colorful Guatemala, I tell you! It is quite common for businesses to decorate with colorful Guatemalan kites during October and November. Above, you can see the Guatemalan kite decorations at the entrance of Doña Luisa Xicotencatl. Below, the stairway to the second floor. Also, don’t forget that the first exposition of the Antigua Photo Club … Read more
Shoot! I forgot to mention I also recorded some videos. I am sorry, it looks like we have enough Día de los difuntos Día de Todos los Santos, Day of the Dead All Saints’ Day material for the entire week. Today you can appreciate the size of a kite and see how the kites are … Read more
What can I say, today was a day with lots of ups and downs. I am too tired tonight to give all the details; suffice it to say that our car broke down on the way to pick the fiambre (nothing major) and had to carry the fiambre and the car on a tow truck; … Read more
If you are planning to leave Guatemala before November 1, you will certainly miss the Giant Kites of Santiago and Sumpango. You won’t be able to see the kite runner in the cemeteries of Guatemala. However, if you are in La Antigua Guatemala, you can head over to Nim Pot to see some samples of … Read more
The “strong winds” begin making their way to Guatemala; Vientos fuertes would say Miguel Ángel Asturias. With the vientos fuertes also appear the barriletes, kites, and giant kites which help to reunite the dead with the living during the celebrations of Día de los difuntos, Day of the dead. What do you know about the … Read more
Those of you, who have followed the daily updates of La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo for a while, would know already how much I like to name certain entries with titles of films. If you look in the past 930 days, you would find the titles of some of my favorite films. Can you name … Read more