The Catrina Fair has managed to vindicate typical elements of the Purépecha people’s traditions and constitutes a major boost to the state of Michoacán’s economy and image at a global scale.
To local citizens, this tradition allows them to preserve Mexican culture and continue the tradition started by José Guadalupe Posada over a century ago, which was also made popular by the famous muralist Diego Rivera .
When craftsman Álvaro de la Cruz started selling catrinas in Pátzcuaro during the Day of the Dead celebrations , he decided to teach others to fabricate them.
In Capula , there are three categories for these crafts: Commercial, Intermediate, and Luxury , which features pieces entered in competitions.
A local artisan, Alejandro Jacobo Pineda , learned the craft when he was only 12 years old . Now, every year he produces around 1,400 clay pieces in different sizes and shapes.
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