Newsletter Mexico Press

Enjoy the Tamales
on Candlemas in Mexico!

If you were at a party in any Mexican city during Three King’s Day on January 6th, you probably feasted on a sweet bread called Rosca de Reyes (Spiral of Kings). The bread features tiny figurines inside that are meant to be shared with the group. If you landed the piece with one of the figurines, you must make tamales for everybody at the following celebration of Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria) on February 2nd!

Candlemas is celebrated as the “Presentation of Christ at the Temple.” According to Jewish law, it was customary to bring a baby to the temple forty days after he was born.

February 2nd also marks the mid-way point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and because of that, it has long been thought to be a predictor of the weather to come. Remember that in the United Sates, February 2nd is celebrated as Groundhog Day (did you see the famous Bill Murray film?).

---------------------------------------------

Back to Mexico, tamales are made out of corn dough that is filled with beef, chicken, pork or beans and wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves that are really delicious. So, enjoy your Candlemas party in Mexico and savor those tamales!

---------------------------------------------

Historic Investment of $115.3 Million Dollars in Tourism during 2009

As part of the plan to develop tourism Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo, announced historical investments of $115.3 million dollars to improve and promote projects in various states and destinations throughout the country.

During his address, Elizondo informed the Secretaries of Tourism of the various states that not only will the restoration projects in the tourist destinations be of vital importance, but also the renewal, modernization and creation of tourist products of high impact, to produce employments in the states.

The federal Secretary added that, following the instructions of President Felipe Calderon, these investments must be used in the first six months of 2009.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pump Adrenaline
at Carnival in Mexico

Every year, during the month of February, various states in Mexico celebrate the traditional carnivals. The festivities usually begin with the burning of a doll called Juan Carnaval who represents el Mal Humor or the Bad Humor, which takes away the worries of the people. As the carnival continues, fireworks are fired and the parade begins with carriages and marches. The people dress up, wear masks or paint their faces and dance non-stop along the major avenues to the traditional rhythms.

This year’s carnival in Campeche will begin on February 7th with concerts and appearances by many Latin celebrities. In Mazatlan, host to one of the world’s largest carnivals, the festivities run from the 19th through the 24th of February. The state of Veracruz will host its carnival from the 17th through the 25th of February, marking the 85th edition of one of the happiest carnivals in the world.

For more information go to:
www.carnavaldeveracruz.com.mx
www.campeche.gob.mx/Campeche/Estado/Cultura/carnaval.php
www.carnavalmazatlan.net