On Saturday, 8 November, the streets of La Laguna’s historic quarter will host the catrina parade organised by the Fundación México Canarias in collaboration with La Laguna City Council as part of the “Patrimonios cruzados” (Crossed Heritage) initiative. To mark All Souls’ Day and the Day of the Dead, this initiative aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the richness and unity of these two territories with activities for all ages.

Within this programme, the catrina parade is one of the most eagerly awaited and striking events. The catrina is an iconic figure of the Day of the Dead in Mexico, representing a skull satirising high society. Today it represents death, but also equality in the face of it.

The parade will start at 5.30 pm from Plaza Doctor Olivera, passing through Calle Herradores, Calle Tabares de Cala and Calle Obispo Rey Redondo, and ending at Plaza de La Concepción, where several catrinas will be on display. In this way, the historic centre will bring together up to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this parade of catrinas: the ceramics of Talavera de la Reina, the monarch butterfly, Mexican cuisine, mariachi music, the Day of the Dead and the layout of the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

Those who wish to take part in the parade are asked to gather at 5pm near Plaza Doctor Olivera. The event will feature performances by Mariachi Mencey Azteca, Mariachi Barrio Garibaldi, Agrupación Folklórica Yacambu, and Escuela de Danza Acquamarina.

Later, at 7:00 p.m., the Mariachi Festival will be held, an event that will close this edition of “Patrimonios Cruzados” and has been specially designed to complement the activities organised to mark the 25th anniversary of La Laguna’s declaration as a World Heritage City.