This weekend the city will be filled with color and fantastic creations by Mexican artisans. Here we tell you which streets they will walk through and how many alebrijes will be part of the parade.
Mexico City, October 16 (However).- The alebrijes return to the Historic Center of Mexico City with the seventeenth edition of the Monumental Alebrijes Parade and Contest that will be held on Saturday, October 18 to amaze all attendees with more than 200 pieces.
The parade, which began in 2007, is a living example of Mexican popular art that fills the streets with color and fantastic creations.
According to Walther Boelsterly, director of the Museum of Popular Art (MAP), these alebrijes are Mexico’s ambassadors worldwide, he expressed that for him there are two names that are repeated and can become synonymous with Mexico: Frida Kahlo and the alebrijes.
More than 200 alebrijes from Mexico City, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Puebla, Morelos, San Luis Potosí, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, State of Mexico and Tlaxcala will participate in this parade.
For his part, Rodolfo Bravo Flores pointed out that the parade will begin at dawn on the 18th, when the artisans arrive and will line up on the esplanade to know their starting order, which will be at 12 noon. He highlighted that they have medical service support, they have 4 tents distributed on the Zócalo plateau and that during the tour they have the support of firefighters, and a special civil protection plan.
A city full of color and joy
The artisan Israel Mondragón pointed out that the Monumental Alebrijes parade is an icon and a symbol for the Museum of Popular Art and for the artisans who participate in it. He explained that cardboard is a democratic material and a means for people, anywhere, to create pieces as different as the city itself.
“Unlike other artisanal techniques where ovens are needed, specific materials are needed, cardboard making can be very democratic and found everywhere. And that is what this parade demonstrates, the great diversity of Mexico City,” said the artisan.
Mondragón shared that in his case, it takes about 2 months of night work to create the monumental alebrije that will parade through the capital.
This season they are in crisis, so they make a proposal for a city full of color and joy, in their case it takes 2 months to create their Alebrije.
“It is not just any event, it is an event that is transcending and is disrupting the entire cultural narrative of this great city,” he stated.
The first three places in the contest receive an economic stimulus of 70, 50 and 40 thousand pesos, respectively.
Where and when?
The parade will take place this Saturday, October 18 and begins at 12 noon on the Zócalo plateau.
What is the route?
The starting point is the Zócalo, from there you take Avenida 5 de Mayo, to Juárez and then Paseo de la Reforma until you reach the Angel of Independence roundabout.
Where to see the Alebrijes after the parade?
The Monumental Alebrijes are placed on the north and south sidewalks of Paseo de la Reforma (between the Column of Independence and Lieja Street), you can observe them and take photos with them from October 18 to November 9.