The Embassy of Mexico in Paraguay will celebrate Día de Muertos 2026 (Day of the Dead) on Sunday, 1 November. The celebration will take place at the Centro Cultural del Puerto de Asunción. Titled Recordar es vivir (To Remember Is to Live), the event will feature traditional Mexican food, live music, cultural activities, and a Catrina costume competition. Admission is free, and activities will begin at 11:00.
Mexican Ambassador to Paraguay Juan Manuel Nungaray invited the public to participate in the celebration, highlighting the Duelo de Catrinas y Catrines competition. Registration remains open until Thursday, 29 October. The contest offers participants an opportunity to showcase their creativity while celebrating one of Mexico’s most recognised cultural traditions.
Mexican traditions come to Asunción
The celebration will begin at 11:00 with the presentation of a traditional Altar de Muertos, an important element of Mexican Day of the Dead commemorations. These altars honour deceased loved ones through photographs, candles, flowers, food and other meaningful objects.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore Mexican gastronomy throughout the day. Several businesses, including Xochimilco, El Nopal, Maya, Ayoök, Chilaquilli and El Tortillas, are expected to offer traditional Mexican dishes for purchase.
Live music will also be part of the programme, with Paraguayan singer Mirta Talavera and her group scheduled to perform at 17:00. The celebration aims to bring Mexican traditions closer to Paraguayan audiences while encouraging cultural exchange between both countries.
Catrina and Catrín competition at Día de Muertos 2026
One of the main attractions will be the Duelo de Catrinas y Catrines, scheduled to begin at 12:00. Participants will dress as Catrinas and Catrines, traditional skeletal figures associated with Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations. The Catrina is commonly represented as an elegantly dressed female skeleton, often wearing elaborate hats, colourful clothing and decorative makeup. Her male counterpart, the Catrín, typically appears in formal attire, sometimes accompanied by a top hat or other traditional accessories.
Both figures have become recognisable symbols of Mexican culture, particularly during Día de Muertos celebrations. Their appearance reflects the tradition’s distinctive approach to remembering the dead through art, symbolism and celebration.
Those interested in participating must register online. Additional information about the competition is available through the Embassy of Mexico’s official website.
The meaning behind Día de Muertos
Día de Muertos is traditionally observed in Mexico on 1 and 2 November, bringing families together to remember relatives and friends who have died. Rather than focusing exclusively on mourning, the celebration honours their memories through music, food, decorations and family gatherings. The tradition combines Indigenous Mesoamerican beliefs with Catholic influences introduced during the colonial period. One of its most recognisable elements is the ofrenda, an altar decorated with objects that hold personal significance for deceased loved ones.
Through Recordar es vivir, the Embassy of Mexico hopes to share this cultural heritage with visitors in Paraguay. The celebration offers an opportunity to discover Mexican customs, enjoy traditional food, and participate in activities centred on remembrance.
Also read: All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days: This Is How Paraguay Honours And Remembers
