Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead

Ghouls on bikes and a church service with a twist are planned for this year’s Day of the Dead celebrations.

For the first time festivities will take place at the St. Joseph’s Church on Mt Victoria.

The indigenous Mexican celebration of the deceased – Dia de los Muertos – falls on 1 November, and Radio Access host Jorge Herrera wants to recreate an authentic Mexican experience.

“In Mexico the celebrations are focused around the church, where there is a fusion of the many indigenous peoples’ beliefs with church iconography,” he says.

Expect altars covered in marigolds, gifts of holy bread, music and dancing, sugar skulls, and skeletons of various shapes and sizes.

Herrera (who has been organising the event since 2008) says blaring Latin music, painting your face and drinking tequila doesn’t quite capture the essence of the festival.

“It has deep meaning for the people in Mexico, they’re expressing respect for those An evening mass at St. Joseph’s Church will discuss the theme of justice for people killed in the long-running violence in Mexico.

“The focus is not on gang violence – like you always hear on the news – but on the indigenous people who have died while resisting injustice,” Herrera says.

Following the mass, a colourful bike procession along the waterfront is planned to liven up the evening.

The Day of the Dead festival traces its origins to the pre-Colombian Aztec empire.

For more visit the Facebook page: DayoftheDeadWELLINGTON

WHERE: St. Joseph’s Church on Mt Victoria. (Day of the Dead mass at 18:00)

WHO: Wellington’s Latin American community

HOW: Face-painters will be on hand, and bring a bike to participate in the Dead Bike

WHEN: November, starts around 12:00

© Scoop Media