Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon
Encyclopedia
Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon is a concept typical of Mexican culture. It began in the decade of the 1990s and informally refers to the vacational period from December 12 (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) to January 6 (Day of the Magi
or "Tres Reyes Magos"). During this period there are several holidays which, linked together, create a "marathon" of festivities.
The celebrations linked together by the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon are:
The name of the marathon (Guadalupe Reyes) has also been used in advertising. Certain comedy shows sometimes feature the fictional character of "Guadalupe Reyes", a proper Mexican
name which can belong either to either a male or a female.
In Guatemala and Mexico, participate in guadalupe-reyes marathon means is that you and your buddies will go on a drinking spree for that period of time due Holiday gatherings. Getting together after work or weekends to celebrate the Holidays is very common during this season and if you show up to work hung over it will be considered normal.
Magi
Magi is a term, used since at least the 4th century BC, to denote a follower of Zoroaster, or rather, a follower of what the Hellenistic world associated Zoroaster with, which...
or "Tres Reyes Magos"). During this period there are several holidays which, linked together, create a "marathon" of festivities.
The celebrations linked together by the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon are:
- December 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
- Every evening from December 16 to December 24: The nine Posadas parties.
- December 24: Last posada and Christmas EveChristmas EveChristmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
(NochebuenaNochebuenaNochebuena, , is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve. In Spain, Cuba, Latin America, and the Philippines, the evening consists of a traditional dinner with family....
). - December 25: ChristmasChristmasChristmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
- December 28: Holy Innocent'sMassacre of the InnocentsThe Massacre of the Innocents is an episode of infanticide by the King of Judea, Herod the Great. According to the Gospel of Matthew Herod orders the execution of all young male children in the village of Bethlehem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn King of the Jews whose birth...
day, which in Mexico is remembered playing practical jokes. - December 31: New Year's EveNew Year's EveNew Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
- January 1: New Year's DayNew Year's DayNew Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
- January 6: Day of the Three Kings
- The last celebration of the season is Day of CandelariaCandelaria-People:*John Candelaria , American baseball pitcher*Candelaria Pérez , sergeant in the Chilean Army, hero of the Battle of Yungay*Nash Candelaria , U.S...
on February 2. In Mexico, this festivity is linked to the feast of the Magi on January 6th by the traditional rosca de reyesRosca de reyesRosca de reyes or roscón de reyes is a Spanish and Spanish American king's cake pastry traditionally eaten to celebrate Epiphany....
. It is also common to celebrate consuming the traditional atoleAtoleAtole is a traditional masa-based Mexican and Central American hot drink. Chocolate atole is known as champurrado or atole...
and tamales. However, being almost a month away from all the celebrations that happen in late December and early January, it is excluded from the "Marathon".
The name of the marathon (Guadalupe Reyes) has also been used in advertising. Certain comedy shows sometimes feature the fictional character of "Guadalupe Reyes", a proper Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
name which can belong either to either a male or a female.
See also
- Public holidays in MexicoPublic holidays in Mexico-Mexican Holidays:In Mexico there are 3 major kinds of holidays:*Statutory holiday: Holidays observed nationwide. Employees are entitled to a day off with regular pay and schools are closed....
In Guatemala and Mexico, participate in guadalupe-reyes marathon means is that you and your buddies will go on a drinking spree for that period of time due Holiday gatherings. Getting together after work or weekends to celebrate the Holidays is very common during this season and if you show up to work hung over it will be considered normal.