Semana Santa with a colourful touch

The most important week of the year

Whereas in the Netherlands Easter is nowadays mainly dominated by Easter eggs, in Latin America it has a much greater meaning. The week before Easter here is called Semana Santa (Holy Week) and is for Catholics one of the most important periods of the year. Throughout the week there are feasts and extravagant processions to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a sad and sometimes dramatic event, but undoubtedly very special to experience. Everybody is completely surrendering to this event this week and daily life is completely at a standstill. If you know how temperamental the Latinos are, imagine with how much dedication this week is celebrated.

Incense, drums and colourful works of art

The week before Easter is celebrated extensively throughout Latin America. For a truly unforgettable and cultural experience Semana Santa in Antigua is an absolute must. There is no other city in the world where this week is celebrated more extensively than here. Streets are filled with incense with the sound of drums in the background. Through the cloud of incense the procession appears. A group of men carries a large platform with images of the Saints on it. Wearing this platform, also known as a float, used to be considered penance. Today, it is seen by many as a privilege. There are even some processions that last more than 18 hours.

A colourful touch

The most special thing about Semana Santa in Antigua is that remembrance gets a colourful touch here. The streets are decorated with colourful carpets of sand, sawdust and flowers. These carpets are also called alfombras and they are really beautiful works of art. Already months in advance families make a design and the preparations take place. One day before the procession takes place the construction of such a beautiful coloured carpet is started. However, the work of art isn't there for long, because the procession is meant to run over the carpet and wipe away the colours. As soon as the procession is over, a new work of art for the next procession will be started on another spot.