Colors of Merida - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Merida delights its guests with a variety of interesting festivals that are held throughout the year. The most colorful and popular with tourists is the annual carnival taking place at the end of January. The history of this holiday began in the middle of the 20th century when a colorful car parade accompanied by costumed street processions was organized in Merida before the beginning of Lent. Over the years, the holiday has gained an incredible scope and is now one of the most magnificent in the region.

Preparations for the event that lasts several weeks is carried out throughout the year. Artists and folklore groups are invited, and the main symbol of the holiday is exciting costume parades. Locals make amazing costumes for the carnival on their own. Both adults and children take part in the processions. A car parade is also held as part of the modern carnival, thus marking the opening of the multi-week event.

The traditional carnival has an unusual symbol - King Mom, whose coronation ceremony is an enchanting show with music, dancing, and fireworks. King Mom is a famous mythological character embodying sarcasm. Every year, they elect a man who receives this symbolic title within the framework of the holiday in Merida. Travelers who visit the city during the carnival will enjoy a rich entertainment program. They'll be able to watch performances of the best dance groups, witness street shows, as well as visit traditional fairs and try the best holiday treats. A “flower battle” is traditionally held on the last day of the carnival. This is how they call a parade whose participants are dressed in incredible colorful costumes. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Apart from symbolic holidays, Merida has a lot of interesting features. Foreign guests of the city may find unusual literally everything here, including architecture. By centuries-old tradition, it has been customary to build sumptuous buildings with arcades, which now attract the attention of travelers. Even ordinary residential buildings may have arcades with carved columns, their decoration has always been given special attention. They may be complemented by sculptural compositions or art painting, and some arcades form an amazing play of light and shadow on a sunny day.

Traditional murals dedicated to various historical events now adorn the facades of many local buildings. Most of them reflect the arrival of Spanish conquerors who fought a fierce battle with the Mayan tribes in the region. Some murals look so realistic that it is often easy to mistake them for the actual landscape at first glance.

A great way to get acquainted with the tradition of local residents is a visit to local craft shops. They are found on every street, and it is here that you can buy unique garments and souvenirs. Merida's craftsmen make nice hats, sew high-quality clothes and shoes. Such handmade clothes may cost quite a lot in local stores, which is fully offset by high quality. Ladies will love handmade handbags, and art connoisseurs will have a chance to buy wonderful tapestries as a souvenir.

The Mayan culture had a great influence on the formation of traditions and customs of modern citizens. This is evidenced by the annual Maya Festival, which attracts participants from around the world. Within the framework of this festival, they hold scientific conferences attended by prominent historians and archaeologists. The festival program also involves many entertainment activities: they organize beautiful theater performances, thematic tours, and gastronomic events.

There are several museums in the city, the expositions of which are devoted to the history and culture of the Maya Indians. During the festival, visitors are invited to special excursions, during which they can see the rarest historical artifacts. A special entertainment program is prepared for children. For the townspeople, the Maya Festival is one of the main cultural events of the year. Such bright and distinctive holidays are the best reflections of the cheerful and friendly nature of local people. Merida residents have long been accustomed to a large number of foreign tourists and treat each of them as a long-awaited guest.