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| About Michoacan |
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| About Michoacán |
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Michoacán lies in the Central Highlands, midway between Guadalajara and Mexico City. It is a place of incredible natural beauty --miles of rugged virgin coastline to pine forests to green valleys under ancient volcanoes. Morelia, which is the capital of the state and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovely colonial city with beautiful architecture and a vibrant culture. What makes Michoacán even more special and interesting, is the fact that it has an intact indigenous culture, which includes 200 Purepecha and Nahuatl communities, where the majority of the people dedicate themselves to creating beautiful artesania or folk art.
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Michoacán, the ancient home of the Tarascan people, is relatively unknown to most American tourists. Every major Mexican historical figure once lived there, the colonial city of Morelia is home to eight universities and the city hosts an international organ, guitar, and film festival every year. In addition, live theater, folk dance, jazz, mariachi, and other musical performances can be enjoyed almost every night of the year in the Plaza, Casa de Cultura, or performing arts theaters. The Contemporary Art Museum and the Casa de las Artesanias' outstanding handcrafts collection are not to be missed. |
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The magnificent cathedral in the central plaza of Morelia is the focus of numerous celebrations and festivals throughout the year, especially in September for the Fiestas Patrias, Christmas, and the city’s anniversary celebration in May. The Mexican people love a good party, and Morelia has some of the best community fiestas, always with music, food, and amazing fireworks shows above the beautifully illuminated cathedral. This photo was taken on September 15th, the eve of Mexican Independence Day. |
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Day of the Dead at the cemetery in Pacanda, one of the islands in Lake Patzcuaro. |
Day of the Dead is one of the most important times of the year in the area surrounding Michoacan’s Lake Patzcuaro. The beautiful celebrations every year on Nov. 1 and 2 (referred to as Noche de Muertos here) are an enchanting mix of traditional indigenous rituals to remember departed loved ones and the Catholic religion brought by the Spanish. In Mexico today, there is no conflict between the faiths, as it has become a cultural tradition which all are invited to participate. Families and school children create elaborate altars to honor the lives of those who have passed, and the markets are full of vendors selling skeleton toys and sugar skulls, marigolds, and candles for the celebration. |
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