October 14, 2017

Toluca city’s president, Fernando Zamora, inaugurated the Toluca 2017 Alfeñique’s Cultural Festival and Fair, in which there will be around 260 cultural activities such as concerts, workshops, art expositions, dancing and conferences among others, this with the participation of several institutions such as the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM in Spanish), artistic groups and the Secretary of Culture.

“Alfeñique” is a typical candy made with almonds, milk and other local ingredients during Autumn, regarding the Day of the Dead, one of the most ancient traditions in Mexico and which in different parts of the country, it gets its own particular taste. In Toluca, the Alfeñique season is the perfect excuse to make the Day of the Dead an opportunity to get families together and remember their beloved ones who have passed away, to grieve them; eat candies of the season, attend to cultural and artistic events, and, aversely, to celebrate life through an explosion of taste, music, dancing, memories and singing…

Therefore this Saturday 14th of October, the Mayor, Fernando Zamora made an effusive inauguration of the Alfeñique’s Fair and Festival, with a first ribbon cut in Toluca’s Portales (a very well-known place in the city center), and near 100 Alfeñique’s craftsmen were set there to move later to the Plaza Cívica (Main Square), for a second inauguration with the aim of starting the cultural activities that will be part of this fair.

At the opening of the Fair of the Alfeñique which gathers joy, taste, and sadness for those who have gone, Zamora said: “Tell your relatives and friends that in Toluca it’s time to enjoy, it’s time for a festival, it’s a time to remember…”

Hundreds of families attended to the event which was crowded and spectacular also because of the walk of Catrinas on squares, parks and traditional spots of the city, decorated as well with all kinds of allusions to the day of the holy deceased, on November 2nd, date where the fair will finish.

On the opening concert, the UAEM’s Juvenile Orchestra played and simultaneously, at the Gonzalez Arratia square; at the Andador Constitución corridor, and in other forums, several artistic activities started with different performers as well as workshops and an interesting craft exposition in one of the spots at the Plaza Cívica.

The cultural agenda for the following days in the Alfeñique’s Fair and Festival includes activities such as Circo y Arte en el Museo del Alfeñique (Circus and Art at the Alfeñique Museum); a spectacle called “A un Canto de la Muerte” (A Song away from Death) at the CEUNI; Liz Zendejas at the Gonzalez Arratia square; ranchera and marimba music performed by Tehuantepec music group; dancing, theater and music groups from UAEM. The forums will be squares, parks, alleys, museums and spaces such as the Concha Acústica (a well-known forum for street artists, music and dancing) and Plaza España.

Mary Delgado