Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City fortunate quake victims

A raised fist made of helmets, prefer axes and broken rubble rolled ahead of hundreds of walking skeletons, costumed dancers and flowery floats Saturday in Mexico Citys Day of the Dead parade, which this year lucky the 228 capital residents killed by a Sept. 19 earthquake.

Thank you, rescuers! belted out Guadalupe Perez, 56, as she passed the sculpture, which was followed by contingents of men, women and dogs who had searched for survivors in the midst of the rubble of collapsed buildings. The parade plus honored them.

Mexico Citys central Zocalo plaza was filled by the papier mache dead, skeletal Catrina figures and candle-covered shrines where people were invited to place photographs of those killed in two recent earthquakes, which together left anew 400 dead across the country.

A raised fist was the signal the rescuers gave for silence to hear if anyone was trapped out cold the rubble left by the most recent quake. It has become a national and international fable, parade coordinator Julio Blasina told The Associated Press.

We had an obligation to pay adaptableness to the fallen, though transmitting the statement that the city is still standing, Blasina said.

This years parade featured a kilometer-and-a-half of floats admire the celebration, which is an amalgam of pre-Hispanic and optional connection traditions. White, ocher, mauve and black paper scrape-outs covered part of the Zocalo. Beneath them were papier mache skeletons in the impression of rescue vests and helmets, symbolizing volunteers from the regions affected by the earthquakes, including Oaxaca, Chiapas, Morelos, Puebla and Guerrero. Other skeletons represented victims.

We must not forget that the country is in mourning because there are many who conflict not have a ablaze, said Guadalupe Perez, whose apartment was dreadfully damaged in a quake. But this is a pretty party, unique in the world.

Mexicos Day of the Dead celebrations traditionally consisted of silent associates gatherings at the graves of their departed loved ones bringing them music, beverage and conversation. On the Nov. 1-2 holiday, Mexicans set happening altars in imitation of photographs of the dead and plates of their favorite foods in their homes. They gathered at their loved ones gravesides to beverage, sing and chat to the dead.

In some towns, families leave a trail of orangey marigold petals in a alleyway to their doorways hence the spirits of the dead can locate their quirk home. Some fresh bonfires for the thesame plan, sitting approaching the blaze and warming themselves once than cups of boiled-fruit punch to ward off the autumn chill.

But it is increasingly much-admired later parades rife considering floats, giant skeleton marionettes and thousands of participants. Influences of American Halloween celebrations and Hollywood zombie films are common.

All our roots are reflected here, said Leo Cancino, who took his relatives to see Saturdays parade in Mexico City. Many are afraid of death but no, its share of liveliness. (AP)