I am 2 years late, but let me provide some of the info you were missing 😉 Better later than never. “The float” is called anda or mueble (translates to furniture). Not all processions get back in at the same time. Some may come back at midnight, some at 2am, some at 5am, others even as late as 7am the next day. IMO the magic of the Antigua processions is the backdrop of the city. The city is so picturesque, like suspended in history. If you moved those carpets (alfrombras) and processions to the city, they would lose their magic, because Antigua itself is the third indispensable component. Guatemala City’s processions are the biggest. The biggest of them all is El Calvario, which this year measured a bit over 82 feet, weighed 2,500 pounds and was carried by 140 men. They also walked over the longest alfombra, which measured 1.25 miles. I love the magic of the Antigua processions, because again, Antigua 💕 But if I have to pick, I’d rather watch the ones from Guatemala City, so imposing, sumptuous and decadent. Hope this was helpful. From a Guatemalan living in South FL 👋🏼
@@KimandWay It would have made a world of difference I’d imagine. I wish this info was available upon arrival at the airport, like some sort of “tourist aid”, so you can make the most out of your trip, having all the chips on the table. I was trying to find a video to see El Calvario this year (that’s how I found your video), because I am in Miami currently. There’s videos of it coming out and coming back in - which are anxiety inducing! The church has steep steps, and the mueble is soooo large and heavy. Let’s just say, it’s an ordeal to get it out without dropping Jesus off the furniture. People always applaud when that particular procession makes it in and out without any incidents 😅 Feel free to ask me any questions. Especially if you plan on going back. I want to take my husband (German) next year.
Your information is just what we need! We are planning on returning also. When that happens, we will definitely contact you. Please let us know if you are there next year and maybe we can all meet up?
@@KimandWay I replied already, don’t know if your spam catcher grabbed my comment. Hopefully not, but I don’t see it. Anyway, here’s The Holy Burial of El Calvario (Guatemala City) this past Friday ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t1x5Kg2cz-8.html
Lent and Holy Week are a big thing here. If you come during Holy Week you can do the hardcore viewing experience on Good Friday, see the 5 processions in Guatemala City, the biggest one in the world is one of them and then drive to Antigua to see the 3 in there.
What you’re referring to is an entirely different scenario. Chants/singing only occur during service (i.e. mass), at least in Guatemala. I can’t speak for other countries, although none of the processions I’ve seen around the world have any singing. There is no singing in Guatemalan processions ever. The processions represent snippets in the life of Jesus leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection, therefore all of the music is funeral music, requiem, mourning songs, all performed by a live band with a director.
