MALVERN HILLS DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY

CHRISTMAS AND OTHER FESTIVALS IN MODERN MEXICO

Mexico has a vast range of festivals. Visually splendid, many feature lavish processions and masked dances with richly decorated costumes. Although some festivals commemorate national events, most are religious in inspiration.

After the Spanish conquest of 1521, priests used theatrical representation as a method of instruction. Traditionally, people display elaborate nativity scenes in their homes.

The Christmas story is acted out in towns and villages: adults and children perform as shepherds and shepherdesses, hermits and devils. Other important celebrations include Saints' Days, All Souls' Day, and Carnival.

CHLOE SAYER

Chloe Sayer is a freelance specialist in the art and culture of Latin America. She has lectured in the UK, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and on cruises.

As a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute she has carried out fieldwork, curated several exhibitions, and assisted on TV documentaries for BBC and Channel 4. Her many publications include Mexican Textiles (British Museum Press, 1990), Arts and Crafts of Mexico (Thames & Hudson, 1990), The Incas - The Ancient World (Wayland, 1998) and Textiles from Mexico (British Museum Press, 2002).

She is co-author of Skeleton at the Feast; Mexican day of the Dead (British Museum Press, 1991), Traditional Mexican Architecture (Thames & Hudson, 1993) and Masks Arts of Mexico (Thames & Hudson, 1994). She has also published articles in newspapers, magazines and travel guides.