Four men fling themselves off of a 30-meter pole and swing around and around, tethered to the top by ropes. A fifth performer balances on the end of the pole, dancing on one foot and playing the flute. These are Los Voladores, or the flying men of Veracruz. “It’s a ritual that dates back for a thousand years,” says Joe Maes, curator of programs at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, “and it’s truly still a religious ceremony.” The aerial performance is just one of the spectacles to see on Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, when the living history museum, in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico, presents ¡Viva México! Artisans from across Mexico will fill a mercado, and tequila and sotol tastings will liven your spirits. You might just be transported to coastal Mexico by mariachi and marimba music while you eat classic Mexican food. ¡Viva México! is also displaying folk dancing, tortilla making and traditional healing ceremonies. Maes says that despite the overwhelming amount of negative media about Mexico, attendance at the annual festival has steadily increased. The whole point is to remind people that Mexico is rich with culture and wonder, and much of the country is still fine for traveling. There will even be representatives from the consulate present, Maes says, explaining how to construct a perfectly safe trip. You can start imagining yourself on vacation by visiting golondrinas.org for ticket info.
¡Viva México! Festival Features Flying Men Of Veracruz
Alibi
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2 min read
A member of Los Voladores
Photo courtesy of El Rancho de las Golondrinas
