Dia de Muertos, USA News (Madrid / Mexico): The favorite dishes of the deceased are celebrated and tasted beside their tombs on the night of the holiday in Mexico. Dia de Muertos is a tradition connecting indigenous rites, Christian devotion, and sincere affection for ancestors while maintaining traditional gastronomy. Canal Cocina presents these emotional impressions in a documentary premiering at eleven o’clock at night.
The special is hosted by journalist Veronica Zumalacarregui, presenter of the docuseries Me voy a comer el mundo. It delves into the Mexican state of Michoacan, the center of Mexican gastronomy, to discover how this emblematic tradition is sustained and what sentiments lie behind the offerings shared with the departed among flowers and altars.
Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, the festivity transforms grief into a colorful exaltation of memory, where cuisine acts as a bridge between the living and the dead. The production was presented in Madrid at the Casa de Mexico, an institution hosting a celebrated exhibition dedicated to the celebration.
“It is an incomparable experience,” Zumalacarregui stated, noting that her reporting career feels like living multiple lives by entering homes to see what people cook and eat. Canal Cocina director Mandi Ciriza highlighted the proposal as part of the thematic network’s ongoing commitment to the audiovisual landscape.
During Dia de Muertos, Zumalacarregui enters the homes of seven families in Michoacan to witness the devotion with which they prepare artistic altars and tastings. The journey ranges from traditional churima preparation in Zirahuen and mole in Tzintzuntzan, to crafting an artisanal catrina in Capula dedicated to maternal memory.
The special moves to Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro for the eve of the Day of the Little Angels dedicated to deceased children, and arrives on Janitzio island for nocturnal vigils. One striking aspect is the gastronomic ritual deployed in cemeteries by candlelight among marigold garlands and copal aroma.
Veronica Zumalacarregui expressed deep emotion regarding these encounters, calling the sharing of favorite dishes beside tombs a testament to love and a vital lesson in remembering those who have passed with joy, gratitude, and flavor. Canal Cocina is broadcast on operators including Vodafone TV, Orange TV, Jazztel, AMC+, and Prime Video through AMC Channels.
