“Emilia Pérez” received 10 nominations, including for best musical/comedy film, best non-English film and best screenplay. Audacious French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, who based the 132-minute movie on an opera libretto that he wrote, is nominated for best director.

The film’s other nominations are Spaniard Karla Sofia Gascón for best actress in a musical/comedy film; Americans Zoë Saldaña and Selena Gomez, each for best supporting actress; best original score; and two entries in the best original song category.

“The Brutalist,” in which an architect grapples with his past, including Holocaust trauma, received the second most nominations with seven.

“Emilia Pérez” premiered last year at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Jury Prize and its four lead female actresses (the three above plus Mexican Adriana Paz) received a combined best actress award. The Times of London has declared it “one of the year’s best films.”

It also served as the opening night film in the Morelia International Film Festival in October and has already accumulated 55 awards and 149 nominations from various festivals and cinematic entities around the world.

Netflix acquired its distribution rights in North America and the United Kingdom, and since Nov. 13 has been streaming the film in those regions but not in Mexico.
According to reports, the film will open Jan. 23 in theaters in Mexico, where it has received the “Cinépolis Guarantee,” assuring moviegoers of the film’s quality. This, however, has led to debate in Mexico, with some social media users criticizing both the film (see below) and Cinépolis’ decision to support it.

“Emilia Pérez” follows the journey of four women in Mexico, each in search of their own happiness. The film is primarily in Spanish, although as this trailer reveals, several scenes feature English, notably those involving Gomez and Saldaña.

Gomez, born in Grand Prairie, Texas in 1992, is an American singer and former Disney Channel star whose father’s family is from Monterrey, Nuevo León. She has spoken often about her pride in her heritage, and she regularly celebrates her Mexican roots through her work and music (and by having learned to speak Spanish).

In “Emilia Pérez,” Gomez plays Lola, an influential friend to the lead character, the former cartel leader Emilia, after she transitions to a woman. Emilia, portrayed by Gascón, faces a rocky road as she navigates her identity and challenges as a woman.

Saldaña plays a lawyer that Emilia hires to help carry out her longtime plan to fake her death and undergo gender-affirming procedures.

The film is a musical odyssey set primarily in a vibrant, pulsating Mexico City. The soundtrack has been nominated for a Golden Globe, as have the songs “Mi Camino” and “El Mal.”

Because the film mixes the musical genre with gender identity and forced disappearances in Mexico, it has been criticized by some for its lack of sensitivity in addressing such delicate issues.

There also has been backlash because the main characters are not portrayed by Mexicans. Casting director Carla Hool has stated that although Mexican actresses were scouted, the best options proved to be European and American — a comment that generated social media accusations of racism and lack of representation.

Gascón fueled the criticism by calling the detractors “gatos,” which translates to “cats” but in this context is an insult, probably implying that the critics lack independent thought and are acting ignorantly.

In the category for best motion picture that’s a musical or comedy, “Emilia Pérez” will be competing against the box office smash “Wicked,” the sometimes funny drama “A Real Pain,” the dark romantic comedy “Anora,” the tennis-love triangle “Challengers” and the Demi Moore movie “The Substance.”

Winners will be chosen by 334 entertainment journalists from 85 countries.

The 82nd Golden Globes will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser for the first time. Paramount+ will livestream the ceremony, which will be televised in the United States by CBS starting at 7 p.m. Mexico City time.

With reports from Infobae, El Sol de México, Russh and Reuters

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Canaco CDMX President José de Jesús Rodríguez Cárdenas reported that sales for the holiday are expected to exceed the figures reported in 2024 by 8.1%, when sales expectations were 3.6 billion pesos (US $174.9 million).

Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) is a common celebration in Latin America and some European countries like Spain. On the morning of Jan. 6, children wake up to gifts brought to them by the three wise men Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar, also known as the Three Kings.

Rodríguez said the three wise men are expected to bring toys to 1.78 million children in Mexico City on Kings’ Day, with an average spending per kid of 2,200 pesos (US $106).

Popular toys on the children’s wish list include video game consoles, cell phones, computer equipment, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, electric bicycles, mini-motorcycles, remote control items, dolls, action figures and balls. The most dynamic sales sectors will be toy stores, candy stores, bakeries, shoe stores, department stores, video game stores, technology stores and clothing stores.

Across the country, economic spending will amount to 24.2 billion pesos, up 10% compared to 2024, the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Concanaco-Servytur) reported. Some 36 million children in the country expect the gifts from the three wise men home.

“Three Kings’ Day is not only a holiday for children, but also an opportunity for businesses to boost their activity, benefiting millions of Mexican families,” Octavio de la Torre, president of Concanaco-Servytur, said.

What’s the origin of Kings’ Day?

According to the biblical story, the three wise men followed a star to Bethlehem to worship and bring gifts to the baby Jesus. The Bible does not mention the men were kings or that there were three of them. However, tradition says they were three because the Bible mentions they offered three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men appeared only once in the Bible. Still, they left behind a rich tradition.

How is Kings’ Day celebrated in Mexico?

In Mexico, Catholics celebrate the holiday by sharing a sweet, circular bread known as rosca de reyes. The oval shape of the bread symbolizes God’s eternal love, while the crystallized fruits on its surface symbolize the jewels in the crowns of the three kings. A tiny doll, symbolizing baby Jesus, is baked into the bread to represent how the holy family hid him from King Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents by fleeing to Egypt.

Whoever finds the baby Jesus in their piece of bread must provide tamales on Candlemas Day (Día de la Candelaria) on Feb. 2.

Kings’ Day is also known as the Feast of Epiphany, which celebrates the manifestation of Christ on Earth for the first time.

With reports from El Universal and Diario Del Yaqui

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Lowrey’s body of work encompasses vibrantly colorful paintings and collages that lift the spirits of the viewer. Many incorporate lyrics, poetry, puns and elements of graphic design. They offer a provocative dose of irony or punchy humor, often with a Southern U.S. lilt. Some are abstractions featuring tactile explorations with paint, while others are explosions of geometry and still others are illustrative. At age 91, Lowrey paints for approximately four hours per day.

Building a dream home in Mexico

How did this couple, originally from Alabama and Tennessee, whose careers led them over the decades to various universities and artistic communities in the U.S. South, and who ultimately established themselves in Los Angeles, suddenly decide to move to Mexico?

“Lida had a friend who talked incessantly about a special Mexican town,” explains Lowrey. “We decided we had to see San Miguel de Allende. We came down in 2010 and immediately fell in love with the people, the architecture, the quality of the art scene and the sophistication of the design ethos here that we saw epitomized at YAM Gallery and Skot Foreman Fine Art. Within days, we bought a colonial-era house on Canal Street.”

“We named the house Casa de los Tíos in honor of the inheritance we had each received from beloved uncles, which enabled us to buy it.” The couple worked with Barboza Arquitectos to create a multiple-story, light-filled interior.

Then they set about building their dream home in the countryside on the outskirts of San Miguel. Working with another Mexican architect, Luis Sánchez Renero, they designed a truly spectacular house that would provide each of them with a gorgeous studio. The house consists of three glass pavilions connected by glass corridors. The stunning home has been featured in various international magazines, from Italy to Brazil.

“My parents were ahead of their time in the way they moved between the disciplines of art and design. They both had a profound, intuitive curiosity about the connections, overlap and points of mutual inspiration in the art and design worlds,” noted their daughter, artist Sheridan Lowrey, who has added numerous dramatic, intriguing art installations to the landscape surrounding the home. She uses locally-made tiles and displays Mexican vernacular pottery.

Making artistic connections in San Miguel de Allende

“I love L.A. and miss many things about the South — the waterfalls and mountains, the places I danced in my youth — but I have found fresh inspiration and beauty here in Mexico,” noted Lowrey. 

In San Miguel, the Lowreys discovered a thriving community of art- and design-oriented expats and found that noted L.A. artists such as Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell had homes here. San Miguel’s art scene has certainly evolved over the years. For decades, art students have come to study at the Instituto Allende and Bellas Artes. Now those storied institutions are somewhat less central to the scene, with many established artists working out of Fabrica la Aurora and creating their own studio spaces throughout the city and its environs.

Pilgrimages to San Miguel by Lowrey’s former art and design students

Lowrey received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Auburn University in graphic design and fine art. He was a career professor of graphic design at the University of Georgia, Indiana State University and last and longest at North Carolina State School of Design.

In each place Austin and Lida lived, they established architecturally interesting live-work spaces for themselves. They did this in the university towns of Raleigh, North Carolina; Athens, Georgia; and Terre Haute, Indiana. In Terre Haute, for example, Lida bought an old church in a blue-collar neighborhood and turned it into a gallery and antiques store named Revival.

Eventually, they moved to San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles, where they became well-established in the local artist community. They had conjoined 3,000-square-foot spaces; Austin’s space was decorated with early American art pottery, flea market objects and outsider art and design, while Lida’s was a white cube gallery.

Lowrey’s students keep in touch with him, and a number have journeyed to San Miguel to visit him, including, most recently, the previous design director at Appalachian State University.

Lowrey even taught his daughter Sheridan at North Carolina State University. “My parents have always been my best friends,” she said, “because we share a love for art and design.”

Lowrey’s other daughter, Elizabeth, is an architect recently named one of Boston Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Bostonians of 2024.

Lida, who passed away in 2020, described herself as “a prolific artist, working in various paint and print media exploring both abstract and representational imagery with conceptual and technical vigor.” Her work, she wrote “is also knowingly referential and witty in subject matter and form.”

Debra Broussard, Lowrey’s current gallerist, noted that “Both the artist and his art are not only deeply sophisticated and moving but also approachable and welcoming.” Lowrey’s work may be viewed at the San Miguel Art Loft.

To learn more, visit sanmiguelartloft.com. To schedule a private viewing of Austin Lowrey’s work, contact Debra Broussard at info@sanmiguelartloft.com. 

Based in San Miguel de Allende, Ann Marie Jackson is a writer and NGO leader who previously worked for the U.S. Department of State. Her award-winning novel “The Broken Hummingbird,” which is set in San Miguel de Allende, came out in October 2023. Ann Marie can be reached through her website, annmariejacksonauthor.com.

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You probably already know most of these ingredients — you see them every day, and have likely eaten them hundreds, if not thousands, of times. But what is it about them that makes them so essential to Mexico?

Mexico City food blogger María Meléndez has been profiling the foods that make Mexico, well, Mexico, throughout the second half of 2024. Why not find out for yourself exactly what the true taste of Mexico is like — and learn some great recipes along the way?

Corn

Taste of Mexico: Elote

Where else would we start?

It probably isn’t hyperbole to suggest that without corn, there wouldn’t be a Mexico to enjoy in the first place. It is the most basic building block of civilization in the country and the domestication and cultivation of corn helped ancient civilizations grow and prosper.

It is so important, even today, that the government regulates its price to ensure that Mexicans everywhere can afford to eat. The things that Mexican cuisine has learned to do with it, from tortillas to soups speak volumes to the extent of which corn remains the most basic element of Mexican food.

Avocado

Taste of Mexico: Aguacate

It wouldn’t be unfair to call the humble avocado Mexico’s most popular export (with one notable exception). One of Mexico’s top exports to the United States, the green gold has become a staple of health regimens worldwide.

Like so many good things though, it all began in Mexico. Even today, there are a thousand different ways to enjoy an avocado, and only one of them is guacamole.

Cacao

Taste of Mexico: Cacao

Remember that one exception to the avocado rule? It’s this one.

Of all the ingredients on this list, cacao is the only one that needs no previous introduction, anywhere in the world. It’s arguably the most popular flavor globally and it’s truly universal. It’s also an essential part of Mexican history, dating back centuries.

The way cacao has been traditionally enjoyed is a far cry from Hershey’s or Cadbury’s though and like corn, it has enjoyed many different uses throughout the history of Mexican cuisine.

Taste of Mexico: Micheladas

Mexico is serious about beer. It’s also serious about the things it does to its beer — the crime against humanity that is the gomichela notwithstanding.

Many an expat has been caught out the first time they tried a michelada, but to a man, they’ve all learned to love the bitter, tangy, salty addition to their refreshing drink. These days, the art form has elevated beyond adding clamato, salt and lemon, and lager connoisseurs the world over can experiment with anything their heart (or tastebuds) desire.

Chile Piquín

Taste of Mexico: Piquín

What’s the first thing you think of when you think about Mexican food? It’s spice, of course. In the pantheon of Mexican spiciness, there is one hot little pepper that rises above almost all the rest — the chile piquín.

It’s a staple of every Mexican dinner table and even a popular children’s candy. For the aspiring chef or gourmet in search of the true taste of Mexico, it might be even more than that.

For more Tastes of Mexico, why not check out our archive?

Mexico News Daily

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It would be easier to name the artists who had hits before they were thirty years old and who faded rather quickly. But how does one go from teenybopper to superstar?

If, freshly moved to Mexico, you want to impress their new native friends, you’ll need to know these three idols who did. Drop these names — along with some song titles — into a cocktail chat and poof: you’re the coolest gringo at the party.

José José

If Frank Sinatra invites you to sing a duet, you’re the real deal. While the duet never took place due to contractual obligations, José José, undoubtedly flattered, burst into the pop stratosphere. Later, he repaid the compliment by recording a Spanish version of “New York, New York.”

Perhaps the best way to understand José José is to enjoy the covers that helped make him famous. Remember the “Pina Colada” song? The writer, Rubert Holmes, also wrote another wonderfully cheesy song entitled “Him” in 1980 about a jealous lover. José José, clearly seeing the heartthrobiness, created a Spanish version of equal yearning. Both songs are terrifically swoony and set the stage for a career seemingly aimed at teary adolescent girls.

In a way, José José is the quintessential heartthrob. That is, if the goal is to have audience members sway back and forth and get pissed off that their boyfriends can’t be more like him. Just mention his name at a gathering and women of a certain age and you will get wanting looks in their eyes while men will roll theirs. Classic idol.

• Nickname: El príncipe de la canción, Mr. Sold Out
• Comparable Idol: Engelbert Humperdinck 

Luis Miguel

Selling out an 80,000-seat stadium is just another day in the office for Luis Miguel. Ex-girlfriend Mariah Carey stood in awe of his ability to do so. He sold 2.2 million concert tickets… this year. That’s Taylor Swift territory. 

Despite being born in Puerto Rico in 1970, Luis Miguel is now a Mexican citizen. But, if you were to ask for the most romantic boleros ever sung, Luis Miguel’s name would come up. This Puerto Rican is about as Mexican as one can get. 

• Nickname: El Sol de México
• Comparable Idol: George Michael

Juan Gabriel

To put Juan Gabriel in the category of heartthrob is almost disrespectful. To be sure, he was outrageously handsome in his early years and could easily qualify as a teen idol. Yet, it would be like calling Paul McCartney a former Mop Top or labeling Stevie Wonder “that cute kid from Motown.” Juan Gabriel is, quite simply, a national treasure.  

The main characteristic that differentiates Mr. Gabriel from the other two artists is the fact that he wrote most of his own songs. This hardly disqualifies singers from being idols or heartthrobs. After all, Sinatra didn’t write his own songs.

But for the sake of comparison, José José claimed he was an interpreter of songs and was fortunate to work with talented writers. Luis Miguel wrote just a handful; four or five. Juan Gabriel reportedly wrote 1800 songs, and this puts him in a category that very few can claim company. Paul McCartney, by comparison, has written 1,059 to date.

His songs, like the others, range from all that Mexican music has to offer with its myriad styles and traditions. But the proof of his command of melody cannot be ignored when hearing his hit “Querida.” Or, for pop sensibilities with a hint of country, his hit about a favorite disco, “Noa Noa” is impossible not sing along. Think “Copacabana” in Spanish and without a story about a guy getting shot.

If there is any doubt about how deeply Mexicans hail this outrageously talented composer, one only needs to watch his overwhelming 2013 performance at Bellas Artes. Afterwards, you won’t want to be a specialist on Mexican music. You will want to be Mexican.

• Nickname: El Divo de Juárez
• Comparable Idol: There is only one Juan Gabriel.

Certainly, there are more names that could be added to the list: Alejandro Fernández, Lorenzo Antonio, Jorge Negrete and more. But ask any local over the age of 40 to name the Three Kings of Mexican Pop and more than likely, these are on top of nearly everyone’s list.

How did we do? Leave your suggestions in the comments section and expand all our playlists.

Jimmy Monack is a teacher, photographer and award-winning writer. He profiles interesting people all around the world as well as writing about and photographing rock concerts. He lives in Mexico City. www.jimmymonack.com

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The powers that be in Spain scoffed, saying that historical events shouldn’t be judged through a modern lens. A few op-ed pieces were written about it in the Mexican papers, and people fought about it on Facebook for a bit. Upper-class Mexicans especially rolled their eyes.

“The Spaniards of today are not the same people, and neither are we, duh.“

The idea seemed to die down as more pressing matters inevitably took its place. But it apparently had not been put to bed once and for all. With the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, and later in a morning press conference, it was revived.

First, there was her inauguration. The same king of Spain who rejected an apology the first time around, King Felipe VI, was not invited. As a result, Spain sent no guests at all. Yikes!

I know it’s diplomacy, and maybe it’s because I’m currently binge-watching “Downton Abbey,” but these kinds of tiffs strike me as kind of adorable. Royalty: they’re just like us! Not invited to the big party? Everyone’s going to hear about it, now!

One of the reasons given by Sheinbaum for not extending the invitation was that King Felipe had not responded to López Obrador’s letter requesting the apology. Spain’s Prime Minister, though, was not convinced. He called it “unacceptable and inexplicable, given the level of relations between Spain and Mexico, two ‘brother’ countries.” Spain did not send a delegation to the inauguration.

“Brothers,” hmm. Well, Mexico and Spain have always had a rather tough relationship. Is it any wonder they’d occasionally participate in a tit-for-tat?

I’m sorry is all that you can’t say…

Perhaps they’ll take a page from Tracy Chapman’s “Baby Can I Hold You” and love each other despite the lack of apology? Or cooperate, at least, which is what they seem to be doing. So what about the apology?

I don’t know a whole lot about diplomatic relations, but I do know about pride and stubbornness. And one thing I know for sure is that apologizing can be hard, especially if you don’t think you should have to.

I also know that culturally, saying “I was wrong, I’m sorry,” is not easy, especially here. I can’t count how many people I know whose only version of the phrase is, “I’m sorry, but…” They then launch into all the reasons that they are right, and so of course don’t need to apologize. There are even some people who I’ve never heard apologize a single time. Say why they shouldn’t, sure, but accept responsibility?

So I’m not saying that Spain should apologize because it’s currently responsible for the atrocities committed during the Conquest. I’m saying Spain should apologize because it would be symbolically important to a lot of people.

Because while the number isn’t quite as high, in addition to the “I’m sorry, but…” people, I know quite a lot who simply hate Spain and Spaniards. Why? “Because of what they did to us.” Sigh.

To me, this has typically been just virtue-signaling. I don’t see anyone, for example, refusing to speak their language or worship their gods. “I’m discerning and angry because I have a sense of history.” Cool, cool. Is there anything you’re doing to help indigenous people today, then?

In the case of Morena, the answer is actually “kind of,” which is more than past administrations can say. Not only have they been included symbolically in high-level government ceremonies. Many of the current government programs aimed at helping those in poverty go to them, and justice plans for Indigenous people are being created and carried out under Morena’s government.

So come on, Your Majesty. Surely an important symbolic leader could give an important symbolic apology, right? It’s certainly not unprecedented, and it would make some people very happy. Can we not just do something to make some people happy?

According to the current and former presidents, the purpose of the apology is to simply acknowledge what happened, and to put it behind us. No one is asking Spain for reparations, though I wonder if they’re afraid of such requests to follow if they give an admission of guilt.

Perhaps that’s some of their reluctance. Because what is an apology without an offer to make amends?

Empty.

It could be that they don’t want to put themselves into a situation of being pressured to pay for it somehow. It could also be — this is a big maybe — that they don’t want to sound like hypocrites for offering an apology without suggestions for making it right.

Perhaps to them, it’s akin to the land acknowledgements found of late in the United States and Canada. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re essentially statements by the descendants of colonizers saying, “We recognize and honor you.”

I’m a card-carrying liberal, but this seems both silly and insulting to me. “We want to show we’re good people by saying we see you, but please, oh God, please do not suggest actual reparations.”

In the end, we’ll just have to see what happens. Mexico may never get its apology, or it may get it tomorrow. When a reporter pointed out former President Calderón having criticized the insistence on an apology, she quipped back. “Do you think that Calderón will someday apologize for the war on drugs?”

I’m not holding my breath for either apology.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

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From medical dramas and crime thrillers to contemporary adventures and historical melodramas, it’s been an exceptionally interesting year for Mexican television. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are the best Mexican shows of 2024 and where to watch them.

Como Agua para Chocolate  | Max

Adapted from the 1989 novel of the same name written by Laura Esquivel, the miniseries tells the story of Tita de la Garza and her forbidden romance with Pedro Múzquiz, her childhood sweetheart. Unfortunately, although the young lovers dream of making a life together, Tita’s destiny is doomed by an overbearing family tradition, which requires her to remain single to care for her mother until she passes away. As in the novel, Max’s reinterpretation is a story of love and rebellion, of duty and destiny, and of social tensions in the times of the Mexican Revolution. 

Emotionally rooted, visually dazzling and worthy of the legacy of the original, “Como Agua para Chocolate” has been renewed for a second and final season. 

Bandidos | Netflix

Who doesn’t like an action-adventure series about a high stakes search for a legendary treasure?

With seven exciting episodes, “Bandidos” follows a daring and thrilling archeological adventure in the Mexican Caribbean and a thrilling underwater heist. Directed by Adrián Grünberg and Javier Ruiz Caldera, it tells the story of Miguel, Lilí and an eclectic crew of bounty hunters who risk everything to recover a priceless Mayan relic lost in the Gulf of Mexico. 

After its premiere in March, it became one of Netflix’s most watched Latin American series and secured a Top 10 spot in more than 65 countries. Luckily, the second season is on its way.

Las Azules | Apple TV+  

Crime thriller fans: This one’s for you. 

The plot is loosely inspired by true events and set in conservative Mexico in the early 1970s. “Las Azules” (Women in Blue) examines the founding of Mexico City’s first female police squad, and their intense fight against a serial killer dubbed the “Tlalpan Undresser.” This slick thriller tells the story of four intrepid recruits: Maria, Gabina, Angeles and Valentina, as they strive to redefine the entrenched patriarchal culture within law enforcement. 

With intricate period details, a well-crafted plot, and witty characters, Pablo Aramendi and Fernando Rovzar’s lavish series does not disappoint.

La Máquina  | Hulu

After sharing credits in popular films such as “Y tu mamá también” (2001), “Rudo y Cursi” (2008), and “Casa de mi padre” (2012), longtime friends Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna have reunited on screen, this time for Hulu’s first Spanish-language production, “La Máquina” (The Machine), a tribute to Mexico’s glorious boxing history. 

This vibrant miniseries follows Esteban Osuna (García Bernal), nicknamed “La Máquina”, a legendary boxer who is nearing the end of his career. His eccentric friend and agent Andy Lujan (Luna), assures him one last chance in the ring in hopes of reviving his golden days. However, almost as quickly as Esteban scores a victory that returns them to the pinnacle of boxing, both are threatened by an omnipotent criminal organization, which puts their lives and those of their loved ones, in danger. 

Accidente | Netflix

After arriving on Netflix in August, “The Accident” quickly became one of the most controversial and popular Mexican series of the year. The suspenseful family drama centers on a tragic accident in which a bouncy castle causes the untimely death of three children and the harrowing disappearance of another. Naturally, the grief of the families spreads like wildfire, and everything becomes even more complicated when evidence emerges that, perhaps, it was not just an act of God. 

Created by Leonardo Padrón and directed by Gracia Querejeta and Klych López, “Accidente” is a raw and intriguing drama, even as it veers into telenovela territory. 

Familia de Medianoche | Apple TV+

Sometimes a great documentary is just the beginning of the story. Such is the case with Apple TV+’s medical drama, “Midnight Family.” The series is inspired by Luke Lorentzen’s influential, award-winning documentary of the same name. 

Refusing to shy away from gory details, the reimagining of “Midnight Family” follows the lives and adventures of the Tamayos, a family of hardened paramedics, as they respond to emergency calls in Mexico City. Like the source material, Gibrán Portela and Julio Rojas’ television fiction harshly questions the efficacy of the Mexican capital’s healthcare system and explores the underworld of private ambulances. The ten-part series is humane, involving and hugely satisfying.

If there is any justice in this world, there will be another installment.

Any of the other best Mexican shows that we’ve missed from this year? Let us know in the comments!

Carolina Alvarado is a Venezuelan journalist and has devoted much of her career to creative writing, university teaching and social work. She has been published in Lady Science, Latina Media, Global Comment, Psiquide, Cinetopic, Get me Giddy and Reader’s Digest, among others.

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The state’s upbeat reputation is on full display as hordes of participants spread joy in the form of dance and music while dressed up old men and occasionally old women (characterized by fake white hairs, a disheveled beard for the men, a cane, and often a Jarocho outfit of white guayabera shirt and pants, with a matching white hat or traditional dress for the ladies). In many indigenous communities, the “old man” is represented with traditional masks and songs. Whatever the appearance, “El Viejo de Año Nuevo” is one of the state’s proudest traditions, bringing together participants of various ages for the annual, intergenerational affair. 

It begins on Christmas Day, which in Mexico is predominantly celebrated as Nochebuena on Christmas Eve and ends on January 1. There are variations of the celebration, too. In some places, there is “la quema del viejo.” In this case, effigies of old men get burned at midnight to reset the calendar and ward off negative spirits. These effigies are dressed up to appear as elders, and are customarily stuffed with dried banana leaves. The burning of these “old men” dates back centuries to traditions brought over from the Spaniards. And not every community partakes in the pyres, either. 

For my parents and family members who grew up in Veracruz’s capital, Xalapa, each año nuevo began afresh with “El Viejo,” something as customary for them as it is to eat tamales and pambazos. My dad recounts his memories as a child and adolescent in Xalapa. In his retelling, he and his friends would go around Xalapa and watch people of all ages dressed as old men as they played music, asked for money, and sang the age-old lyrics (which has since been modernized into various remixes) past midnight.

The celebratory procession is said to have started as a labor protest in 1875 in the port city of Veracruz. As the legend goes, a group of dock workers didn’t receive their annual “aguinaldo,” or Christmas bonus, and began to demand their dues by gathering in the streets. Another version of the story differs in that the workers were demanding to take home unclaimed shipments at the end of the year, as was customary, but were forcefully denied by the port’s managers. 

In response to not receiving the end-of-year rewards, a man who is simply known by his last name, Bovril, took charge and began to make noise outside of the port managers’ homes, until crowds of more workers gathered, with the intent to collect money and goods. The next year, the dock workers repeated their actions but dressed up as old men, or “viejos.” It’s unclear exactly how the costume became popularized.

In a vastly different telling, multiple sources have also cited a Korean immigrant who brought over the custom while wearing a mask in the streets of Veracruz until children started to follow him around, dancing and singing. Whatever the origin, it’s stronger than ever in Veracruz, where the current Governor, Rocío Nahle García, is currently pushing a campaign to celebrate the custom with tourists and locals alike with the tagline “¡Veracruz está de la moda!”. But for many, it doesn’t need any marketing, since it’s a practice that has been passed down over generations.

“It’s a culture that is preserved in every pueblo,” said a participant in an interview with Cronica de Xalapa. “We maintain the musical aspect. That’s what keeps the tradition fresh. We add rhythm and it keeps us united by bringing more joy to homes.”

To be sure, every region throughout Veracruz — including Cordoba, Veracruz-Boca del Río, Xalapa, Orizaba and many others — will host their own version of a parade. The state’s main event will take place at Parque Zamora in Veracruz beginning at 1 p.m. In the evening, a fireworks display will occur at nearby la Plaza del Migrante Libanés, Villa del Mar, Asta Bandera, Hotel Lois y Plaza de los Valores. 

Alan Chazaro is the author of This Is Not a Frank Ocean Cover Album , Piñata Theory and Notes From the Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge (Ghost City Press, 2021). He is a graduate of June Jordan’s Poetry for the People program at UC Berkeley and a former Lawrence Ferlinghetti Fellow at the University of San Francisco. His writing can be found in GQ, NPR, The Guardian, L.A. Times and more. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he is currently based in Veracruz.

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Be aware that New Year’s Eve is a time that Mexican families like to spend with each other. You’ll surely be able to find some fun activities and parties, but don’t be put off if your Mexican besties have plans already, probably with their families.

For Mexicans, the stroke of midnight is a time to hug and kiss your loved ones. If you’ve got any down here with you, get ready for some squeezes! If you don’t, that’s okay. There’s still plenty of fun to be had!

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of Mexico’s favorite New Year traditions.

Colored underwear

This is something that took me a while to figure out. Why on Earth was I always seeing so much red and yellow underwear on sale at this time of year? Do people really like McDonald’s colors?

Actually, the colors are for luck. While there are more — green is for health, for example — red and yellow are the main ones. Wearing red underwear means you’ll attract love in the coming year, and yellow means that you’ll attract money. Unfortunately, my 2024 yellow underwear seems to have been defective. Well, we’ll try again, I guess!

Eating 12 grapes at midnight

There are some people who feel they have to eat all 12 grapes right away, at the same time. I’d advise against this, since, you know, choking hazard.

But if you go nice and slow, or someone in your party knows the Heimlich maneuver, go for it! Each of the 12 grapes represents a wish for the coming year. That’s quite a few wishes, so don’t be afraid to jot them down in advance!

Fireworks and other things to send you to the hospital

Mexico is a country that loves, loves, loves its fireworks, and New Year celebrations are no exception! While there’s not comprehensive data on how many people are injured by rockets every Dec. 31, my guess is a lot. Be careful out there!

Representing the old and new year

More fire! In Mexico, many people have the tradition of creating a kind of life-size scarecrow to represent the old year. And most actually burn it! If you’re going this route, I’d recommend doing it with someone with experience.

And here’s something you might see during the day on New Year’s Eve: bands of merry revelers dancing and clanging their ways up and down the streets. In this party, there will inevitably be a grown man hilariously dressed as a baby — the new year. They might be chasing or otherwise terrorizing the older-looking old year!

Cleaning for the new year

While we often talk about spring cleaning, in Mexico the new year is a great time for it. Why? Symbolism, baby, symbolism. It’s a literal “out with the old and in with the new” activity meant to purify and refresh your life. I’m 100 percent on board with this one, as cleaning and organizing is basically witchcraft as far as I’m concerned. Time to get rid of those things that are just taking up space!

Eating at midnight

This tradition, I’ll admit, is not my favorite. Plus, didn’t we just have to wait until midnight to eat on Christmas? What’s a gal supposed to do until then?

The answer, I guess, is a sandwich or something to hold you over, and in my case, a nap.

If this is your first New Year celebration spent in Mexico, then enjoy yourself! Get your underwear ready and your grapes prepared. Take a good nap, and try not to wind up in the hospital with sparkler burns.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

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Each year, participants get to work carving their radishes into extravagant figures to display in front of a panel of judges for their chance to win a cash prize. There are several categories, including “anything goes” (libre) and traditional Oaxacan themes, as well as children and youth competitions. All entrants must be from Oaxaca state. 

Participants have carved a wide array of figures in the past, from mariachis to Mexican luchadores. Many choose religious themes, such as The Last Supper and the Nativity, given the competition’s proximity to Christmas. Sculptures often weigh as much as three kilograms. 

“The Night of the Radishes is as significant to us as Christmas,” local tour guide Andrea Hagan told the news site Thrillist in 2023. 

In the traditional design category, first place went to Carlos David Vásquez López, with his work “The flavor of my land, a homage to traditional Oaxacan gastronomy”; second place went to Adolfo Martínez Aquino, with “Virgin of Juquila, Oaxaca and our faith” and third place went to Karla Edith López Vázquez, with her work “Oaxaca, land of the great, legacy of traditions.”

In the “anything goes” category, first place went to Oliver Mijangos Amador, for “Metamorphosis: Mystical nahuales“; second to Omar Díaz Ventura, with “Amphisbena and Pegasus” and third to Roberto Isaac Muñoz Velasco, for “The hummingbird and the Xoloitzcuintle: The messengers of Mictlán.”

#Oaxaca | Para muchos participantes, la Noche de Rábanos es más que una competencia; es una expresión de identidad y orgullo. Son felices con solo participar.

Óscar García/Quadratín pic.twitter.com/bUxsipvqtU

— Quadratín Oaxaca (@Quadratinoaxaca) December 24, 2024

Approximately 10,000 attended the event ahead of the judging.

Radish seeds are planted by Oaxaca’s municipal government in El Tequio National Park in nearby Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán at the end of September each year to be harvested on December 19 and distributed to participants free of charge. A reported 18 tonnes of the tuber were harvested in 2022. 

In addition to radishes, participants created corn husk figurines (totomoxtle) and bright dried flower (flor inmortal) displays. 

The creole radishes used for the event are inedible, therefore, after the competition, they are documented and processed to be utilized as fertilizer. 

The origin of Oaxaca’s Night of the Radishes

Radishes are native to China but were introduced to Mexico by the Spanish, who found that they grew like weeds. Legend states that friars in the mid-18th century pulled up some forgotten radishes in December and took them to the market as curiosities. 

In 1897, Oaxaca’s then-municipal president Francisco Vasconcelos established the first official radish-carving contest to celebrate the creativity of Oaxacan artisans and manage the excess crop, which has since become an annual tradition. 

Te presentamos a los ganadores de esta edición, quienes con sus extraordinarias creaciones han logrado cautivar a todos los asistentes de esta tradicional noche de Rábanos … https://t.co/lpqxhy0sTm pic.twitter.com/GPaMcnG3Fu

— Secretaría de Fomento Turístico Oaxaca de Juárez (@aoaxacavoy) December 24, 2024

Take a look at the winners of this year’s Night of the Radishes.

Judgment night 

A panel of judges picked by the Tourism Ministry, including former competition winners, such as “Lord of the Radishes” Juan Manuel García Esperanza, who won the grand prize 18 years in a row, assess aesthetics, creativity and technique to crown the winners. They also check that nothing synthetic, other than toothpicks, has been used to hold the sculptures together. 

A second edition of the Night of Radishes parade is expected to be formally announced, which in 2023 included themed floats, for more people across the city to see the impressive radish creations. 

With reports from Imparcial Oaxaca, Mexico Desconocido, Quadratín Oaxaca, Thrillist and El Universal

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