Every Palm Sunday weekend the city of Uruapan in the state of Michoacan, Mexico holds one of the largest tianguis (market) in Latin America. This market is known as the Tianguis Artesanal de Domingo de Ramos. Over 1,500 artists from the state of Michoacan participate in this folk art market. One can find pottery, textiles, masks, lacquer ware, copper ware, musical instruments, ceramics, wood work and straw work for sale. The best work is entered into the Consurso (contest) where ribbons are given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The Concurso was held south of the plaza at the old fabric mill called Antigua Fábrica San Pedro. The market opened on Saturday morning with the parade of artisans. The parade began at the entrance of the Parque Nacional. All of the artists carried banners identifying the village where they were from along with wearing their traditional traje (clothing). In their hands they carried the folk art they create from their respective villages. This was a lively event with dancing, toros racing around and live music. The highlight of the event for myself was the clothing contest on Palm Sunday where over 100 people competed showing the best of daily, fiesta and dance clothing. There was also a food court set up as well for the weekend. This was held at the Mercado de Antojitios. Little puestos (booths) offered up regional food from the state along with refreshing agua frescas in various flavors.
After Uruapan it was onto Patzcuaro where a smaller market was taking place. Patzcuaro was filled with altars for the Madre Dolorosa (the sorrowful mother) or the Virgin Mary. Good Friday was spent on the northside of the lake in the village of Santa Fe de Laguna where a Via Cruis took place in the late afternoon. Four capillas (chapels) in town had statues of the the crucified Christ.
The trip ended in Morelia which was bustling with activity on the day before Easter Sunday. There was dancing by the Viejitos (old men) on the main square. On the main thorough fare of Morelia papier mache Judases were strung up of members from the various political parties to be blown up on Easter Sunday.
Overall the visit was a delight for the eyes!