Festive fiesta: Tianguis brings Día de Muertos to Berlin!

Festive fiesta: Tianguis brings Día de Muertos to Berlin!

What will take place in Cologne over the next few days is a festival full of colors, traditions and memories. The “Tianguis” event celebrates Día de los Muertos and transforms Hall 1 on the ground floor into a vibrant marketplace that brings the culture of Mexico to life. The concept of tiangui, which is derived from the Nahuatl term "tianquiztli" meaning "public market", is a joyful gathering place for families and friends to honor the deceased together and enjoy a festive atmosphere, such as berlin.de reports.

The event invites not only children but also adults to actively participate. Visitors can make everything they want for their ofrenda – the important altar in memory of the deceased. Workshops offer the opportunity to create papel picado (the colorful cutting craft), paper flowers and the traditional pan de muerto (bread of the dead). Various artists provide entertainment and bring the tradition of Día de los Muertos alive into the halls, supported by talented make-up artists and designs from Calaca e.V.

Costs and elements of an ofrenda

A central point of Día de los Muertos is the ofrenda. According to the Alianza Nacional de Pequeños Comerciantes (Anpec), the average cost of an ofrenda in 2024 was about 1,809 pesos, so an increase of 26% is expected compared to 2023. While no exact estimates have been released for 2025, rising prices for candles, flowers and Pan de Muerto could further increase spending in urban and tourist areas, such as mvsnoticias.com explained. The best way to reduce financial costs is to reuse decorations or buy them directly from local producers.

The traditional elements of an ofrenda are diverse and contribute to the personal touch of the altar. These include:

• Cempasúchil-Blumen: 150 bis 400 Pesos pro Strauß oder Topf
• Kerzen: ab 10 Pesos bis über 50 Pesos für dekorierte oder aromatische
• Pan de Muerto: 30 bis 100 Pesos pro Stück
• papel picado: 50 bis 150 Pesos pro Paket
• Zuckerkalaver oder Schokolade: 20 bis 60 Pesos pro Stück
• Fotos und Rahmen: etwa 150 bis 300 Pesos
• Weitere Dekorationen (Weihrauch, Copal, Tischdecken): 100 bis 500 Pesos

To reduce the cost of the ofrenda, simple alternatives are recommended, such as preparing a simplified version of a favorite dish of the deceased or organizing a shared ofrenda in which each family contributes one or two items.

Traditional and celebratory

Día de los Muertos is not only an occasion for mourning, but also a reason for celebration. The various performance artists and the festive design of the Tiangui spread an atmosphere that focuses on togetherness. A diverse performance of dance, music and art completes the experience and provides entertainment for all ages. The coordination of these cultural highlights is in the hands of Adriana Barrera, Darinka Ezeta and Cristina Barria Knopf.

An event like Tianguis is a wonderful opportunity to familiarize yourself with Mexican culture and keep the tradition of Día de los Muertos alive, especially in a time of change. So if you're in Cologne on October 28th, don't miss this unique celebration that combines memories of the deceased with joyful spirit. Further information can also be found at southtraveler.de.