The Calaveras Festival in Aguascalientes is already a reference to celebrating the Day of the Dead, and this is the place to see many catrinas and worship death in a picturesque way. The festival takes place at the end of October and the beginning of November and is attended by thousands of people who are part of this tradition.
In honor of whom?
The Festival of Skulls in Aguascalientes arose to preserve the tradition of the dead and to pay tribute to José Guadalupe Posad, who was a native of this city, year after year. José Guadalupe Posada, illustrator and cartoonist, creator of La Catrina, is present every year through cultural shows, concerts, theater, crafts, movies, and music, as this festival is 100% cultural.
Brief biography of José Guadalupe Posada
Born in Aguascalientes on February 2, 1852, he is considered the forerunner of the nationalist plastic arts movement. He was passionate about political cartoons and worked in important newspapers such as El Ahuizote and El Hijo del Ahuizote. He considered himself a defender of the people and his illustrations were always black humor. Posada consolidated the festival of the Day of the Dead for his interpretations of Mexicans through skulls. He was the creator of the famous Calavera Garbancera (later named La Catrina), who is said to have not even been able to see it in print because it was printed in November 1913 and Posada died on January 20 of the same year. It is said that José Guadalupe Posada died poor in Mexico City, he was buried in the Panteón de Dolores in a sixth class grave and as no one claimed his remains in the seven years after his death, they were exhumed and buried in a common grave.
"Death is democratic, since in the end, blonde, brunette, rich or poor, all people would end up being skulls." Jose Guadalupe Posada.
La Calavera Garbancera today is known as La Catrina
What is known today as La Catrina actually appeared in a newspaper titled “Auction of happy skulls and sandungueras” with the subtitle “Those that today are powdered chickpeas will end up in deformed skulls”. The skull was illustrated by José Guadalupe Posada and represented indigenous women who went out of their way to look glamorous, who were known as garbanceras. For a long time, it was known as Calavera Garbancera, until Diego Rivera, in his mural "Dream of a Sunday afternoon in the Alameda Central" represented this skull as one of the main characters. From then on it was known as La Catrina.
Activities of the Festival of Skulls in Aguascalientes
The festival takes place on the Island of San Marcos, and the first thing that attracts attention is the monumental catrina that is at the entrance, as it is 15 meters high. They organize concerts, theater, sell handicrafts, and seasonal cuisine.
Skull parade
This parade is one of the main attractions of the Calaveras Festival in Aguascalientes. Allegorical cars with giant catrinas cross Madero Avenue in the historic center and thousands of people dressed as skulls and catrinas gather to enjoy this parade.
The Calaveras Festival in Aguascalientes is one of the must-see places to enjoy the traditional night of the dead.
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