Editor’s Note: Day of the Dead is as much about remembrance as it is about spectacle. In this edition, we explore that balance through two perspectives on where to experience the holiday.
First, we consider Mexico City’s appeal — from its grand parade to elaborate public ofrendas — and the questions its increasingly large-scale celebrations raise about tourism, tradition and the intimate act of honoring loved ones.
We then travel to Atlixco, Puebla, where writer Bethany Platanella finds a compelling combination of artistic expression and personal reflection among monumental catrinas, marigold-filled streets and altars. Her photo essay also ventures to nearby Huaquechula, where some families open their homes to visitors wishing to pay their respects. Together, these stories invite us to look beyond the most photographed celebrations and consider the people, memories and meanings at the heart of Día de Muertos.
