Home Headlines All is ready for “Alborada” the annual St. Michael Archangel Festivities

All is ready for “Alborada” the annual St. Michael Archangel Festivities

by sanmigueltimes
0 comments

The Festival of Saint Michael Archangel is the most important religious celebration for San Miguel de Allende.

As every year, it will take place from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2 at the main square in downtown San Miguel, featuring  the traditional “Alborada festivity”, along with several other activities, such as  parades, food stands, folkloric dance and music.

The festivities kick off with the arrival of the “Stars”, a colorful parade where people disguise with exotic customs, culminating around 2:30 pm on Friday, September 30.

danza-sma-sep-2011

Traditional dancers (concheros) in SMA during the St. Michael Archangel festivities (Image: Google)

Alborada literally means “Dawn”, therefore, on Saturday October 1st, at 4:00 am the real “Alborada celebration” begins with mariachis serenading St. Michael Archangel.

alborada

Fireworks during the Alborada festivity (Image: Google)

Local people and visitors gather to witness a spectacular explosion of thousands of fireworks that morning, as the “Alborada” starts. And then comes the moment when the traditional “Mañanitas” are sung in honor of Saint Michael Archangel.

Mojigangas, the traditional enormous paper mache hollow figures (worn by paraders) were displayed along the edges of the Jardin. These also are the most creative of crafts indigenous to Mexico. (Image: Google)

Mojigangas, the traditional enormous paper mache hollow figures (worn by paraders) were displayed along the edges of the Jardin. These also are the most creative of crafts indigenous to Mexico. (Image: Google)

The celebration continues at 11:00 am, with several musical groups and the “Burning of Judas“, an activity where mock-up dolls made with paper “mache” are burned. As part of the show, the “Papantla Flyers” present their traditional “dance in the sky”.

At 5:00 pm, a procession takes place along on the main streets of San Miguel known as the entrance of the “spirits” (ánimas). Featuring the traditional Xúchiles, regional and foreign dances, parade floats, marching bands and masquerades.

Additionally, a number of artistic and cultural events will be held during the day, such as the “concheros“, a traditional group of dancers present their colorful and traditional act.

The attendees offer the “Xúchiles” (beautiful offerings made of plants), and the act is never complete without the “mojigangas”, original and huge paper mache hollow figures.

Finally, on October, Sunday 2, the celebration continues along Calle San Antonio and goes through the streets of Zacateros, Canal, Hernández Macías, Mesones, Núñez, San Francisco, Main North Plaza and Portal Allende, ending up at the monument to Fray Juan de San Miguel.

Xuchiles all around the Parroquia of San Miguel de Allende. (Image: Twitter)

“Xuchiles” all around the Parroquia of San Miguel de Allende. (Image: Twitter)

mojigangas

Mojigangas (unionguanajuato.com)

Source: http://www.unionguanajuato.mx/

You may also like

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept

Our Company

News website that serves the English-speaking community in San Miguel with information and advertising services that exceed their expectations.

Newsletter

Laest News

@2024 All Right Reserved by San Miguel Times