Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Alfombras procesionales for processional carpets. Once again I’ll be offering group and private Holy Week Special Photo Walks. Don’t miss the chance to capture amazing images during one of the most spectacular demonstrations of religious fervor in the world. See sample photos from past years, and … Read more
Under normal circumstances, we would be experiencing one of the most photogenic cultural and religious events in the world: The Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. However, because of the pandemic all massive events have been canceled in Guatemala. So I decided to share with you some photographs of vicarious vistas of what the Holy Week … Read more
As I mentioned yesterday, the pandemic has changed how the Semana Santa and other festivities are observed in Guatemala. One of those things is the ephemeral processional carpet, normally created out on the streets, often finishing the design just minutes the procession arrives; nowadays, these processional carpets are being made inside museums and galleries, inside … Read more
With each passing year, the processional carpets, or alfombras procesionales as we known them here, get more elaborate and artistically intricate. Some of the more complex designs can take up to 12 hours to lay them out on the carpets. During my Special Sunday Lent Photo Walks we explore and photograph as many carpets and … Read more
We say our goodbyes with this image of the final touches put on one of the most complex and colorful carpets made on Good Friday on Calle Ancha. I hope you enjoyed our humble Semana Santa coverage.
Here’s a close up vista of the making of a processional carpet minutes before the arrival of the procession. This is truly ephemeral art as it takes hours to make the alfombras and they only last a few minutes.
Before we wave goodbye to the Semana Santa coverage, how about a couple of pictures of details such as this carpets with a bird made out of oranges and mice made from red radishes? The alfombras procesionales, or processional carpets, are such creative ephemeral art, often completed within minutes of the passing of the procession … Read more
The traditions of Antigua Guatemala are passed on to a new generation that would keep them alive. The elaboration of processional carpets is one such tradition that still very prominent with the younger generation.
Here’s the short story, this grandmother poses on the other side of a procesional carpet, or alfombra in Spanish. A relative is taking a couple of snapshots. The photo walk group I am leading and I decide to also make some portraits of her. A cucurucho decides to photo bomb as he walks toward the … Read more
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
The processional carpets are among the most creative and colorful elements of the Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala. As I’ve mentioned before, the making of carpets from sawdust, pine-needles, flowers, vegetables is a community-forming tradition. People get together by block or near-by neighbors to create the carpets on which the processions will pass by. … Read more
The making of sawdust carpets, alfombras de aserrín, with its vivid colors and eye-catching patterns are among the most prominent elements of the Holy Week celebrations. The making of carpets from sawdust, pine-needles, flowers, vegetables is a community-forming tradition. People get together by block or near-by neighbors to create the carpets on which the processions … Read more
Some people have traveled the world over just to be present for the world-famous Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala. Some people just have to open their front doorway and go outside to be part of Semana Santa in Guatemala. One very important aspect or distinction of what makes the celebrations of the Holy Week … Read more