Guatemala Events and Festivals

11/02/2008 - 11/02/2008Kite Festival

This small town near the capital brings two popular Latin American themes together, kite flying and the Festival of the Day of the Dead. Kites made of paper and bamboo up to six or seven metres in diameter soar in the skies, wielded by teams of kite flyers, while many hundreds of visitors look on. The idea is to release the souls of the dead from their agony. The whistling and weaving of the kites is the language through which the dead express themselves. Prizes are awarded for the best kites, which usually follow a religious or folksy theme. While this colourful and intriguing festival is going on, families follow the usual custom on all souls day of laying flowers on their forbear's graves, and holding graveside vigils