The Guelaguetza is one of Mexico’s most important festivals. The ‘big days’ are two Mondays in late July when the regional dances are performed in the ginormous auditorio, but the atmosphere that pervades Oaxaca is a celebration that transcends the marathon performance. Today is the octava and the conclusion of the best Guelaguetza season in years.
Over 300,000 locals, tourists and expats were part of the crowd along the Malecón to enjoy the Carnaval’s parade – you’re going to want to join in the fun next year!
YouTube fans will be pleased to know that Mexico’s National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH) has established a channel on the world’s favorite video-sharing website. Called INAHTV, the channel currently offers 108 videos highlighting some of Mexico’s most important archaeological zones, museums, historical sites, traditional arts and festivals, as well as other cultural treasures. The commentaries are all in Spanish; but even if you don’t understand the language, these expertly produced videos are worth checking out for their visual impact and variety.
Mexico’s most famous tree, the ginormous Tule Tree (Arbol del Tule) grows near Oaxaca City. Rooted in the town of Santa María del Tule, the tree is the centerpiece of unique, living natural monument. Yesterday’s party was a colorful affair that was the liveliest in several years.
Quito, Ecuador – Planeta.com’s Ron Mader will show videos and photos
from Mexico at South American Explorers, Jorge Washington #311 y
Leonidas Plaza, on Thursday, September 18, 6pm.
MexicoNight (NocheMexicana) explores the conservation movement, Web
2.0, Mexican markets, traditional crafts and the ever-changing views
of what constitutes ecotourism and responsible tourism. Free gifts (!)
include the 2008 jaguar calendar, the map of historic and notable
trees in Oaxaca City, examples of business cards from artesanos and
bits and bobs of tourism materials.
The presentation includes higher quality versions of one or more of
the videos Mercado Central de Abastos, Oaxaca Flickrmeet 2008 and
Caldo de Piedra. There will also be a fast-moving auction of Mexican
crafts and sale of the famous postcards from Oaxaca.
GLENDALE, Calif.,/PRNewswire/ — This Halloween, alongside chocolates and candy, Willy Wonka is bringing out pan de muerto and sugar skulls in anticipation of this year’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) WONKA Arte contest. Beginning August 22nd, teens are invited to show Willy their talent by creating art that reflects what Day of the Dead means to them.
As part of the WONKA Arte program, WONKA is partnering with Latino cable network, mun2, who will host the Day of the Dead contest via www.HolaMun2.com/wonka. mun2 staff and celebrities will judge all art entries and select fifteen finalists, which will get their art pieces posted on the website. Visitors to the site will be able to view all entries and vote for one grand prize winner.
Teens ages 13-to-18 are invited to create artistic representations of what the Day of the Dead means to them. Entries can range from flat art, to 3-D art, to music and/or video. Each entry must incorporate the Day of the Dead theme, as well as the WONKA(R) brand and WONKA(R) candies. Participants will need to upload a photo or video of their artistic masterpiece onto www.HolaMun2.com/wonka. All entries will be judged based on creativity, incorporation of WONKA(R) brand, candy, and Day of the Dead theme and relevance. Deadline for entries is September 30, 2008
“WONKA Arte is about celebrating Day of the Dead traditions with modern-day Hispanic youth in fun, wacky and artistic ways,” said Gilberto Gutierrez, Wonka marketing associate. “We partnered with mun2 to provide an open canvas that would allow teens to express themselves freely, while embracing their cultural roots.”
All entries will be judged and narrowed down to the top 15 finalists by mun2 VJ, Pico, mun2 staff and celebrities. All entries will then be posted in a special gallery on HolaMun2.com/Wonka. Visitors to the site will view entries and vote for the final grand prize winner. The grand prize package is valued at over $2,200 and includes: a Macbook Pro computer, an iPod nano and a $150 iTunes gift card. Those who vote will also have a chance to win an Apple iPhone as part of a separate online voter’s sweepstakes, which is open to legal residents, 13 years of age and older. No purchase necessary for sweepstakes or contest. Voting period ends October 22, 2008. Winners will be announced November 2, 2008. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. See Official Rules at www.holamun2.com/wonka/rules for full details.
About Dia de los Muertos
Day of the Dead is a Pre-Columbian holiday traditionally observed in Mexico November 1 and 2. The holiday focuses on honoring loved ones who have passed away by celebrating their lives. Traditional ornaments, alongside items like sugar skulls, candies, photographs, papel picado, candles, incense and marigold flowers are included in altars made to honor a loved one.
About mun2
mun2 is the preeminent voice for Latino youth in America. Launched in 2001 as the first national cable network to offer bilingual programming for young U.S. Latinos, the multiplatform entertainment network offers authentic content that reflects the lifestyle of this fast-growing segment of the population with original, relevant and cutting-edge programs in proven genres including music, movies, sports, fashion, and social activism. The network, which reflects emerging trends in all areas of pop and youth culture that are endorsed by its bicultural audience, is available nationwide on digital and analog cable, and satellite and free television. mun2 is distributed to over 25.1 million U.S. TV households and is the first-ever Latino youth-oriented cable network to have full subscription to the Nielsen Hispanic Household Index measurement service. The network is part of Telemundo Cable Networks, a division of NBC Universal Cable Networks.
About WONKA
The Willy Wonka Candy Factory company opened its doors in 1983. Since that time, Wonka has been dedicated to the art of producing fun, innovative, high-quality candies for kids of all ages. WONKA(R) candies include well-known favorites such as: NERDS(R), NERDS(R) Rope, Giant Chewy NERDS(R), SWEETARTS(R), SWEETARTS(R) SQUEEZ, SHOCKERS, LAFFY TAFFY(R), RUNTS(R), EVERLASTING GOBSTOPPER(R), LIK-M-AID(R) FUN DIP, PIXY STIX(R), BOTTLE CAPS(R), and the WONKA(R) Bar.
About Nestle
Named one of “America’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for the eleventh consecutive year, Nestle USA provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine(R) to baking traditions with Nestle(R) Toll House(R), Nestle USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that enrich the very experience of life itself. That’s what “Nestle. Good Food, Good Life” is all about. Nestle USA, with 2007 sales of $8.25 billion, is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company — with sales of $90 billion. For product news and information, visit http://www.nestleusa.com/ or NestleNewsroom.com.
This week Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca celebrates its annual festival. Included are desfile de mujeres (see video below), the feather dance, tamale fair and other activities.
