TUESDAY April 11, 2023: 'Semana Santa VERACRUZ' by award winning ZUMA Press Photographer Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez: Because a large majority of the population is Catholic, 'Semana Santa' (or Holy Week) is one of the most widely celebrated and important religious observances in Mexico. Almost all towns and cities in the country have some kind of public observance during a two-week period that starts from Palm Sunday at least to Easter Sunday. One of the unique traditions for Holy Week in Mexico is a reenactment of Christ's crucifixion, with actors forming a procession through town to represent the Via Dolorosa, or the stations of the cross. The U.S. traditions surrounding Easter have made very little inroads in Mexico, with icons such as the Easter Bunny and events such as Easter egg hunts limited to supermarkets and areas right along the border with the United States. Welcome to 'Semana Santa VERACRUZ'
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #884: TUESDAY April 11, 2023: 'Semana Santa VERACRUZ' by award winning ZUMA Press Photographer Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez: Because a large majority of the population is Catholic, 'Semana Santa' (or Holy Week is one of the most widely celebrated and important religious observances in Mexico. Almost all towns and cities in the country have some kind of public observance during a two-week period that starts from Palm Sunday at least to Easter Sunday. One of the unique traditions for Holy Week in Mexico is a reenactment of Christ's crucifixion, with actors forming a procession through town to represent the Via Dolorosa, or the stations of the cross. The U.S. traditions surrounding Easter have made very little inroads in Mexico, with icons such as the Easter Bunny and events such as Easter egg hunts limited to supermarkets and areas right along the border with the United States. Welcome to 'Semana Santa VERACRUZ'

A participant dressed as a Roman centurion as hundreds of people celebrate and personify the traditional Stations of the Cross during Holy Week in Ixhuacan, Veracruz. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

A Catholic devotee dressed as a Nazarene during the Passion of the Christ procession in Ixhuacan dragging a huge wooden cross for the long walk to 'calvary hill' where he will be 'crucified'. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

Roman centurions drags a 'penitant' through the streets of Ixhuacan as hundreds of people celebrate and personify the traditional Stations of the Cross during Holy Week. 'Semana Santa' or Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

A Catholic devotee dressed as a Nazarene during the Passion of the Christ procession in Ixhuacan dragging a huge wooden cross for the long walk to 'calvary hill' where he will be 'crucified'. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

Catholic devotees dressed as Nazarenes after the Passion of the Christ procession in Ixhuacan are tied to a cross and will be 'crucified'. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

Catholic devotees dressed as Nazarenes during the Passion of the Christ procession in Ixhuacan dragging huge wooden crosses behind them for the long walk to 'calvary hill' where they will be 'crucified'. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

Participants wearing colorful monks robes and holding crosses as people celebrate and personify the traditional Stations of the Cross during Holy Week in Ixhuacan. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

A participant dressed as a Roman centurion watches from a cafe doorway as hundreds of people celebrate and personify the traditional Stations of the Cross during Holy Week in Ixhuacan, Veracruz. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire

A participant takes the place of Jesus and hangs on a cross during the event. Hundreds of people celebrate and personify the traditional Stations of the Cross during Holy Week in Ixhuacan, Veracruz. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
© Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/ZUMA Press Wire