The Mexican community in Lithuania celebrated Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, last Saturday.
The celebration dates back many years ago, to the times of the Aztecs, Toltecs and Nahuas who considered mourning for the dead disrespectful. The deceased were still members of the community, alive in spirit and in the memories of those who knew them, and on the Day of the Dead, they would temporarily return to the world of the living.
In Mexico, therefore, the Day of the Dead is a celebration of colour and joie de vivre, with parties and colourful parades, people wearing brightly coloured costumes and make-up, singing, dancing and having fun, all the while remembering and paying tribute to the departed.
Today, Día de los Muertos is intertwined with Christian festivals and is usually celebrated on November 1–2. In 2008, UNESCO inscribed Día de los Muertos on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This most beautiful and important Mexican celebration was organised in Vilnius by the Mexican Community of Lithuania. On Saturday evening, participants met at the Cathedral Square, from where they walked along Gedimino Avenue.
See LRT.lt photos of the celebration:
Vilniaus gatves užliejo meksikietiškosios Día de los Muertos spalvos ir linksmybės
