World Cup: Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ festival rocks Moscow

People in Moscow found themselves immersed in unusual setting on Friday afternoon. The Day of the Dead, a Mexican festivity which combines Roman Catholic observances of All Souls' Day with pre-Hispanic customs of offering food, or even cigars and tequila, to souls said to return to earth for a day, was staged in the Russian capital with “skeleton dances” and traditional music. Initially the organisers planned to stage a parade on the Red Square but the city authorities banned the outdoor event last minute so it had to move inside the Mexico House nearby. The event attracted a large crowd, with tourists and Moscow residents mingling to enjoy the festive atmosphere. The Day of the Dead, usually celebrated on November 2nd, is a festive occasion where spirits of deceased loved ones are welcomed back into their homes. While death is a topic avoided in many countries, the remembrance of deceased ancestors is traditional in Mexico. (Video: SNTV).