'A more than 100 year tradition' -Mexico's Night of the Radishes Christmas festival delights spectators
Record ID:
1450040
'A more than 100 year tradition' -Mexico's Night of the Radishes Christmas festival delights spectators
- Title: 'A more than 100 year tradition' -Mexico's Night of the Radishes Christmas festival delights spectators
- Date: 24th December 2019
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RADISH SCULPTOR, EDUARDO MUÑOZ, SAYING: "My grandfather told me that his father also made radishes, so I think of it as a more than 100-year tradition. So, I started to make the radish (sculptures) because of my grandfather, and he inspires me because he won first, second and third places. And, now I'm proud that I have that talent to make radishes. And, this is the first year that I'm doing it on my own." VARIOUS, RADISH SCULPTURES VARIOUS, RADISH SCULPTURE OF FEMALE FIGURE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RADISH SCULPTOR, SANDRA VELAZCO, SAYING: "I put the white in because it's women's purity and the flowers are just budding, and the red symbolizes the blood of contaminating women with femicides, with the horrors of society." PERSON SPRAYING RADISH SCULPTURE WITH WATER SPECTATORS AT FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS TREE AND CATHEDRAL IN PLAZA
- Embargoed: 7th January 2020 16:47
- Keywords: Christmas Mexico Oaxaca art festival radishes sculptures tradition vegetables
- Location: OAXACA CITY, MEXICO
- City: OAXACA CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA005BBC5077
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Oaxacans went back to their roots on Monday (December 23) by participating in the traditional "Night of the Radishes" festival where elaborate sculptures are made from the popular edible root.
Each year, gardeners and artists come together just before Christmas Day to exhibit various sizes and strains of radishes, intricately carved into designs reflecting themes from religion to politics.
Long lines of spectators gathered in Oaxaca's central square to witness the skill of artists as they worked on their displays.
The event stems from Mexico's indigenous agriculture industry and has expanded into a colourful festival.
The figures vary in size, but all are made only of radishes and other natural materials. Artists are not allowed to paint their figures nor use industrial material to support them.
The Spanish first brought radishes to Mexico in the 16th century. Legend has it that two Spanish friars encouraged local indigenous workers to grow and carve the vegetable so as to boost sales.
(Production: Jose Luis Gonzalez, Josue Gonzalez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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