Xcaret, Riviera Maya, October 29, 2024. In observance of the Day of the Dead—declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO—Grupo Xcaret has created a series of calaveritas literarias (humorous, rhyming poems about death) in collaboration with renowned writer Alejandra Flores. These poems are dedicated to the Mexican states that have participated in various editions of the Festival of Life and Death Traditions, an event that has established itself as a space for celebrating and preserving Mexican cultural traditions.
The states honored through these poems have taken part in past editions of the Festival of Life and Death, sharing their roots and Day of the Dead traditions with Xcaret visitors: Chiapas (2010), Tabasco (2011), Campeche (2012 and 2013), Michoacán (2014), Puebla (2016), Yucatán (2009, 2015, and 2017), Zacatecas (2018), San Luis Potosí (2019), Tlaxcala (2022), Querétaro (2023), and Quintana Roo (2005, 2006, 2007, 2015, 2021, and 2024). Each poem is available for download on the Grupo Xcaret website.
The initiative to create these poems is not only a gesture of friendship toward the states that have shared their traditions, flavors, and rituals at the festival but also a tribute to the cultural richness they have contributed. These compositions—a staple of Mexican folk literature—seek to acknowledge and express gratitude for their participation; their involvement has enriched the festival with their history and traditions, keeping the essence of the Day of the Dead alive at Xcaret.
“Every year, we are honored to have the participation of various Mexican states in our festival, as their cultural legacy enriches our celebration,” noted Leticia Aguerrebere, Corporate Director of Art and Culture. “These calaveritas literarias represent our gratitude and respect for those who, over the years, have shared a piece of their traditions and knowledge with us.”
Beyond serving as a symbol of friendship and gratitude, the calaveritas highlight the festival’s role in sharing and preserving one of Mexico’s most important celebrations. The collaboration with Alejandra Flores—a writer who has dedicated much of her work to celebrating Mexican roots—aligns with Grupo Xcaret’s philosophy of honoring and promoting the country’s cultural heritage.
Grupo Xcaret reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding Mexico’s cultural heritage, a cornerstone of its mission to promote Mexican traditions. Since its inception, the Festival of Life and Death Traditions has served as a space to preserve and share customs associated with the Day of the Dead, building bridges between generations and communities to ensure this tradition remains a fundamental part of Mexican identity.