HOLY WEEK PROCESSIONS, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Holy Week Processions take over Antigua Guatemala and it is quite the sight. We were there the week before Semana Santa (Holy Week) and witnessed one of the biggest processions in honor of St. Bartholomew. Over one million visitors descend on the town during this one procession. I would say that number is accurate as we maneuvered our way through the crowds.
The colorful, labor-intensive sawdust carpets, the massive floats, the music, the atmosphere, the people - it's truly remarkable. We haven't seen anything like it and can't wait to go back during Holy Week next time.
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[@melisacastellanos2143]

Gorgeous and solemnly tradition! So spiritual and cultural richness! Beautiful in every sense of the word!!

[@KimandWay]

Beautiful and inspirational. Have you had the chance to experience a Holy week Procession?

[@elcabo5367]

@@KimandWaythey’re Godless people, theyre just scrolling through the internet looking at stuff when bored

[@nicolassharper3602]

Welcome to Guatemala city! 🇬🇹

[@KimandWay]

Thank you! We love it and we will be back!

[@MymyThatGuy]

Must visit!!!!!!

[@KimandWay]

Apologies for the delayed response. KZbin is just now showing your comment. Yes, well worth a visit. Kim and I will be returning to see it again!

[@montricewilson7561]

Thank you for this video my students are reading a book called Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre about the alfombra. They will enjoy your video.

[@byrongramajo594]

Proud of being Guatemalan

[@KimandWay]

I can see why. We loved our time in your beautiful country.

[@byrongramajo594]

@@KimandWay I love you visited my lovely #AntiguaGt💜

[@KimandWay]

@@byrongramajo594 We can't wait to come back!

[@byrongramajo594]

@@KimandWay welcome arms open wide the time you want :)

[@elcabo5367]

Why?

[@antoniomejia6205]

Thanks 4 sharing. Be safe

[@simplyrowen]

I am 2 years late, but let me provide some of the info you were missing 😉 Better later than never. “The float” is called anda or mueble (translates to furniture). Not all processions get back in at the same time. Some may come back at midnight, some at 2am, some at 5am, others even as late as 7am the next day. IMO the magic of the Antigua processions is the backdrop of the city. The city is so picturesque, like suspended in history. If you moved those carpets (alfrombras) and processions to the city, they would lose their magic, because Antigua itself is the third indispensable component. Guatemala City’s processions are the biggest. The biggest of them all is El Calvario, which this year measured a bit over 82 feet, weighed 2,500 pounds and was carried by 140 men. They also walked over the longest alfombra, which measured 1.25 miles. I love the magic of the Antigua processions, because again, Antigua 💕 But if I have to pick, I’d rather watch the ones from Guatemala City, so imposing, sumptuous and decadent. Hope this was helpful. From a Guatemalan living in South FL 👋🏼

[@KimandWay]

Thank you so much! And yes, this was helpful and appreciated. I do wish we had this information 2 years ago!

[@simplyrowen]

@@KimandWay It would have made a world of difference I’d imagine. I wish this info was available upon arrival at the airport, like some sort of “tourist aid”, so you can make the most out of your trip, having all the chips on the table. I was trying to find a video to see El Calvario this year (that’s how I found your video), because I am in Miami currently. There’s videos of it coming out and coming back in - which are anxiety inducing! The church has steep steps, and the mueble is soooo large and heavy. Let’s just say, it’s an ordeal to get it out without dropping Jesus off the furniture. People always applaud when that particular procession makes it in and out without any incidents 😅 Feel free to ask me any questions. Especially if you plan on going back. I want to take my husband (German) next year.

[@KimandWay]

Your information is just what we need! We are planning on returning also. When that happens, we will definitely contact you. Please let us know if you are there next year and maybe we can all meet up?

[@simplyrowen]

@@KimandWay I replied already, don’t know if your spam catcher grabbed my comment. Hopefully not, but I don’t see it. Anyway, here’s The Holy Burial of El Calvario (Guatemala City) this past Friday kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmLbZn6dZ8itY5o

[@KimandWay]

Thank you! Beautiful and grand. I did not see your other reply but no worries I see this one!

[@Juanfratommy]

Lent and Holy Week are a big thing here. If you come during Holy Week you can do the hardcore viewing experience on Good Friday, see the 5 processions in Guatemala City, the biggest one in the world is one of them and then drive to Antigua to see the 3 in there.

[@elcabo5367]

Catholics don’t even fast. And don’t say eating fish one day a year is fasting because that is 💩

[@emanuelcuxpaz3449]

La fe criatiana guatemalteca.

[@KimandWay]

Una tradición maravillosa. Esperamos volver a por ello de nuevo.

[@intelinge5058]

Pensé que aparecí 😭 but good video

[@KimandWay]

Estas en el video?

[@joshyherco]

En antigua nunca ha habido mas de 5 procesiones al dia 🥲 Y desde el primer domingo de la cuaresma comienzan las procesiones aqui en antigua

[@KimandWay]

Gracias para el información. Si hay solo 5 procesiones al dia deban larga!

[@DestionoConfabiloa]

The husband is always right! She is always way off😅

[@elcabo5367]

Why are they using instruments like a college football game? Shouldn’t the troparion and kotakion of holy Friday be sung instead

[@KimandWay]

You know more about this than we do. I had to look up both of those terms.

[@simplyrowen]

What you’re referring to is an entirely different scenario. Chants/singing only occur during service (i.e. mass), at least in Guatemala. I can’t speak for other countries, although none of the processions I’ve seen around the world have any singing. There is no singing in Guatemalan processions ever. The processions represent snippets in the life of Jesus leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection, therefore all of the music is funeral music, requiem, mourning songs, all performed by a live band with a director.