The key facts
- The 33.4-meter Catrina on the Zócalo square has entered the Guinness Book of Records
- About 140 artists and technical specialists from the Taller Xibalbá workshop worked on the figure
- The previous 2023 record in Puerto Vallarta stood at 28.15 meters
A new record at the Zócalo square
In the center of Mexico City, on the Zócalo square, a 33.4-meter Catrina figure — roughly the height of an 11-story building — has been installed for the Day of the Dead. The installation has entered the Guinness Book of Records, reports Life.ru citing Euronews.
How the figure was created
The sculpture became the centerpiece of a large ofrenda — a traditional altar in memory of the deceased. About 140 artists and technical specialists from the Taller Xibalbá workshop worked on it. The figure was dressed in a purple dress more than 27 meters long and was dedicated to José Guadalupe Posada, whose 1913 illustration became the prototype of the Catrina. Around the sculpture, about 70,000 marigolds grown in Xochimilco were planted: according to Mexican beliefs, the color and scent of these flowers help the souls of the dead find their way home. Decorative elements referencing axolotls and alebrijes were placed nearby.
The previous record exceeded by almost five meters
The new work surpassed the previous achievement: in 2023, the tallest Catrina, standing 28.15 meters, was installed in Puerto Vallarta, and the title has now officially passed to Mexico City. The figure has generated a wide response on social media — users and local media are posting memes and AI edits comparing it to Godzilla and the titans from Attack on Titan, while visitors in costumes and face paint come to the square to take photos against the backdrop of the installation.
Context of the holiday
The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 and 2. As Life.ru previously wrote, unlike Halloween, this holiday is dedicated to the return of the souls of deceased relatives to their families: the bond between the living and the dead, according to local beliefs, is never broken, and death is seen as a transition to another world. Yellow marigolds play a special role in the celebrations — they are used to create arches and decorate altars — while festive tables are set with treats, candles, and other offerings in memory of loved ones.
