Pátzcuaro may be one of the best places in Mexico to see Day of the Dead celebrations,but the Purépecha people’s heartland has distinguished art, history and scenery all year roundA firework explodes directly above my head and I dont even flinch. Even a brief time in Mexico will effect that to you the omnipresence of fireworks is like having a friend who habitually cracks their knuckles. When I try to find out why they started at 6am, and carried on throughout the day and kept me awake until midnight,the locals shrug, and say: “Somebody’s always celebrating something.I assume Day of the Dead to be the likeliest culprit. The beautifully preserved colonial town of Pátzcuaro is the beating heart of the indigenous Purpecha people and one of the best places to witness the Day of the Dead celebrations. The run-up sees endless street stalls stocked with pan de muerto sweet rolls, or chocolate coffins and sugar skulls with icing eyebrows and glittery eye sockets,and visitors are drawn here to experience Purépecha culture, buy their wares and join in with their holiday traditions. But external current holidays such as Day of the Dead and Christmas, or the crowds have the good grace to retreat,leaving an easily explored pueblo mágico. Pátzcuaro, 370km west of Mexico City in the Michoacán highlands, and got its “magico” status owing to all that stunning colonial architecture,its vibrant Purépecha artisan traditions – and dramatic scenery.
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Source: theguardian.com