HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
In the historic downtown are located many important temples and ex-convents, each of which manifests fairs and celebrations in accordance with the following calendar: July 16th, Festival of the Virgin of Carmen, July 25th, Festival of Saint Christopher the Martyr, August 4th, Festival of Saint Dominic of Guzman, October 4th, Festival of Saint Francis of Asis, November 21st, Festival of the Virgin of Charity, and December 6th, Festival of Saint Nicolas Tolentino.
TRADITIONS
As in most Mexican cities, throughout the year there are celebrations full of color and folkloric activities such as:
· March-April Semana Santa (All Saints Week) · March-April. "Feria de la Primavera y de la Paz" o “Fiesta Grande” (Fair of Spring and of Peace or the Great Festival). This festival takes place during the week of Easter with diverse cultural events, such as the gastronomic exhibition, the parade of allegoric floats, the nomination of the Queen of Spring and of Peace, and the traditional serenade of the city. |
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· 31st of March. “Aniversario de La fundación de la ciudad” (Anniversary of the founding of the city). Various activities, exhibitions, and events.
· June. Fiesta Corpus Christi (Festival of Corpus Christi) An exhibition of traditional sweets.
· 16-25 July. “Fiesta de San Cristóbal” (Festival of Saint Christopher). This is the festival of the patron saint of the city and of travelers. There is a tradition that professional drivers form a parade and adorn their vehicles to mount, in caravan, El Cerrito (The Little Hill), on top of which is the Temple of El Cerrito or Saint Christopher, overlooking the city, where they and their vehicles are blessed.
· August. “Expo Internacional del Ámbar” (International Amber Exposition). This event hosts craftsmen from around the world and their fine sculptures elaborated from amber.
· October. “Festival Internacional Cervantino Barroco” (International Festival of Baroque Cervantes). There are diverse cultural activities, such as Jazz, Trova, and symphonic concerts, a book fair, marimba music, and craft exhibitions.
· 2nd of November. “Día de muertos” (Day of the Dead). Tribute is paid to the deceased by their families in the belief that on this day their souls return to coexist with the living. UNESCO declared this event a Master Work of oral and intangible heritage in 2003.
· 12th of December. Celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico.
· June. Fiesta Corpus Christi (Festival of Corpus Christi) An exhibition of traditional sweets.
· 16-25 July. “Fiesta de San Cristóbal” (Festival of Saint Christopher). This is the festival of the patron saint of the city and of travelers. There is a tradition that professional drivers form a parade and adorn their vehicles to mount, in caravan, El Cerrito (The Little Hill), on top of which is the Temple of El Cerrito or Saint Christopher, overlooking the city, where they and their vehicles are blessed.
· August. “Expo Internacional del Ámbar” (International Amber Exposition). This event hosts craftsmen from around the world and their fine sculptures elaborated from amber.
· October. “Festival Internacional Cervantino Barroco” (International Festival of Baroque Cervantes). There are diverse cultural activities, such as Jazz, Trova, and symphonic concerts, a book fair, marimba music, and craft exhibitions.
· 2nd of November. “Día de muertos” (Day of the Dead). Tribute is paid to the deceased by their families in the belief that on this day their souls return to coexist with the living. UNESCO declared this event a Master Work of oral and intangible heritage in 2003.
· 12th of December. Celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico.
CRAFTS AND FOLK ART IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN .
On the markets of the city center, you can find countless crafts from various communities from the "Altos de Chiapas" region. The indigenous people come to the city, specially in to the public spaces to sell the products manufactured by them. Among them worth mentioning textiles, used in various forms as clothes, bags, toys and various accessories. The most comun is to find also find clay sculptures, basketry, blacksmithing, amber, wool products and endless crafts of the region.