This past Sunday the first Lenten procession hit the streets of Antigua Guatemala. Here’s procession from Santa Catalina Bobadilla as it passes in front of the Cathedral around 6:20pm, about an hour later than expected according to the processional route maps that were handed out. Nevertheless, it was better from a photographic perspective as we … Read more
Lent is also use to prepare and put the final touches on the floats and imagery used during the Holy week. The same can be said of the repairs made to the cobblestoned streets and the paint jobs applied to the façades of houses and churches.
Thanks to the Special Lent Photo Walks I am leading on Sundays during Cuaresma and Semana Santa I am able to bring you the coverage of processions and everything else I come across. For instance, this time I am sharing two small video clips recorded near Iglesia La Merced that shows you the cadence and … Read more
Every Sunday of Lent I am leading some very special photo walks, from 2pm to 5pm, and during the Holy Week, from 2pm to 5pm, themed around the elements of the Holy Week. These photo walks start with an information-packed presentation defining the different elements of Lent and the Holy Week and then we hit … Read more
As I mentioned yesterday, Lent and Holy Week are an equal-opportunity events where everyone can participate, including little boys and girls barely walking as we can see here. I hope you enjoy this street portrait of a tiny cone head in the making. If you want to learn more about the processions, the lenten events … Read more
Lent processions are for everyone, men, women, boys and girls. Some processions have floats for everybody, but other times the processional floats are only for the children as in this case. I guess this is how keep the tradition alive, right?
Copal incense and corozo palms provide the main aromas of Lent and Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. Corozo palms are sold in the Antigua Guatemala municipal mercado during and around Lent season. As I have said before, Lent and Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala carry their own set of scents, flavors and colors. I … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Kiosko or Quiosco for kiosk. During Lent and Holy Week, you can find information kiosks peppered all over Antigua Guatemala. If you can’t find one near you, head over the parque central where there are four information booths on each corner of the main square. The people … Read more
How about some broom-head Roman soldiers as a typical sample of the kitsch found during Lent and Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. Well, the vigils can also be a very good places to check out the full spectrum of Guatemalan kitsch, don’t you agree?
Lent and Holy Week are traditions for everyone, including children, where boys and girls have processional floats that they can carry. I guess you’re never to young to participate in the longest penitence period of the year in Guatemala.
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Alfombra procesional for processional carpet. One of the aspects I really enjoy of the Lent season in Antigua Guatemala is the processional carpets with their aromas, colours, textures and creative designs. I enjoy seeing entires families and blocks of neighbours participating in the creating of the alfombras … Read more
As I mentioned last weekend, the village of Santa Catalina Bobadilla had an early start with its vigil on Saturday, instead of the traditional Ash Wednesday. Well, as it is the tradition in Antigua Guatemala on each week of Lent, a vigil on Wednesday and a procession on Sunday. Here’s the quick look at the … Read more
Here’s you Spanish word of the day: Cuaresma or Lent. Once again, from the early morning reports started to pour in, around 6 a.m., there were sightings of hundreds, no, make it thousands of people with dark markings in their foreheads. The first sightings were reported near the church of San Francisco El Grande, right … Read more
Well, what do you know, the village of Santa Catalina Bobadilla, Antigua Guatemala, decided to have an early start of Lent by holding their velación, vigil, on Saturday, February 6, five days before the commencement of Lent on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Here are a couple images to show you the ambience. Stay tuned for coverage … Read more
As every Sunday during Lent, Antigua Guatemala gets dress of purple, the color of penitence and the streets become crowded with cucuruchos waiting their turn at carrying the processional float, photographers trying to get yet one more picture of the religious figures and the new processional setups and people full of devotion and awe. For … Read more