Event: Mexico

Holy Week in Ajijic

When:	16 - 23 Mar 2008 (annual)
Where:	Ajijic
Costs:	Free
Opening Hours:	Various

The Holy Week celebrations in Ajijic are some of the most spectacular in all of Mexico.

The excitement begins on Palm Sunday, when Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem is re-enacted down the main street of Hidalgo. At sunset, "Jesus" rides down the palm-strewn street on a donkey, accompanied by his 12 disciples, towards the cathedral where a mass is given. As the people file out and mill around the square enjoying the amusements set up there, they give money for the production of the Passion Play on Good Friday.

On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the young men of the town re-enact the trial of Jesus and his crowning with thorns. The Holy Way of the Cross is then acted out with one man playing Jesus, carrying his 200lb cross from the cathedral up the hill to the chapel. Accompanied by thousands of followers and some stern-looking Roman centurions, this spectacle is the most amazing of the entire week and commemorates the magnitude of Christ's suffering on the cross.

On Easter Sunday the Resurrection is celebrated with an enormously well-attended mass in the cathedral.