It literally takes a village to put on Ajijic’s annual Easter Passion Play, the spectacular religious pageant staged in a series of episodes running over the entire length of Semana Santa (Holy Week).
The expat community has an opportunity to support the 39th production of the Pasión de Cristo by attending the benefit art auction luncheon to be held Wednesday, March 14, at the esplanade outside the Centro Cultural Ajijic, on the north side of the plaza.
Viewing of the large selection of works by local artists going on the block will start at 3 p.m., followed by sit-down comida service at 3:30 p.m. The three-course menu includes a guacamole starter, the main dish tamale platter with an assortment of chicken, pork and chard fillings and typical garnishes, and nieve de garrafa (barrel-churned sorbet) for dessert. Efren González will pick up the auction gavel at 4 p.m.
Tickets priced at 250 per person are now on sale at Diane Pearl, Ajijic Real Estate, Teocintle restaurant, Dario Estudio beauty salon, El Tepetate restaurant, and the Efren González studio-gallery.
Put together under the slogan “solos no hacemos nada, pero juntos hacemos maravillas” (alone we do nothing, but together we make marvels), the production involves the volunteer efforts of more than 200 villagers who pitch in as actors, costume makers, set builders, technicians, make-up artists, stage hands, gofers and crowd controllers to make it all happen. Community pride and the abiding commitment of several generations has kept this cultural and spiritual tradition alive and evolving since 1980.
This year’s Passion Play program will take place between March 25 and 31, starting with the Palm Sunday Procession, and continuing in the series of scripture-based dramatic scenes staged on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Eve.