Monday 20 May 2013
Across the country on December 7th, Guatemalans burn the devil. Market stalls fill with paper mache devils for families who want to personally show the devil his due, and at the only place in La Antigua where two gas stations sit across the street from each other, people gather to watch La Quema del...
October is a month that has various celebrations: Halloween, Columbus Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, and a Guatemalan holiday that commemorates an event that few outside the country know about: Revolution Day. What was this revolution? When did it happen? What was the outcome? Curious? Here are the answers… Guatemalan society has had some stellar moments...
September is the month that exemplifies Guatemalan patriotism and national pride. Independence Day is smack-dab in the middle of the month – on the 15th. The celebrations are in commemoration of Guatemala’s (and Central America’s) independence from the Spanish Empire in 1821. Throughout the country, in almost every city, town and village, you’ll find...
La Antigua is world-famous for its very elaborate Catholic religious celebrations during the 40 days of Cuaresma (Lent), leading up to the culmination of the season with Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Pascua (Easter) which commemorate the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The entire city participates in the event, and tens of...
Here in Guatemala, each year during March and April, we begin to make preparations for Easter. Some buy their turns to carry in the procesión of their choice. Others are preparing to make pilgrimages through the streets and once again feel the fervor that stirs their souls. And, of course, there are those who...
Christmas, an eminently Christian celebration, is observed nowadays in many countries around the world. But regardless of where you come from, where you are, or what beliefs you have, it’s a time of celebration when, besides the birth of Jesus, we celebrate family and loved ones. It’s a magical time, full of lights, colors,...
Horseracing in the Highlands - Immerse yourself in tradition for the Día de Todos los Santos In Guatemala, there are many festivities on November 1st in celebration of All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos), and the town of Todos Santos Cuchumatán is one of the places to be for the occasion. It’s a small village in...
Depending on when during the month of October you’re picking up this edition of Qué Pasa, All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated on November 1st, is either right around the corner or almost a month away. Either way, mark your calendar now, because you won’t want to miss these events! All Saints’ Day is...
This festival was founded in 2003 by the Spanish Cultural Center of Guatemala, and has gained in popularity each September. It has become the most important forum about photography in the country, and it aims to help strengthen the image as a document, a record, and primarily as a means of expression, thought, and...
This September 15th, Guatemala and the rest of Central America will celebrate the 190th anniversary of their independence. The year was 1821 when, after two previous attempts, independence was declared from the Kingdom of Spain. Due to the instability of the Spanish monarchy, the attainment of independence for Central America was relatively peaceful. Unlike...
