Rocío Dúrcal, the voice that united Mexico and Spain, is honored at Chambao’s Day of the Dead altar

Chambao’s 2024 Day of the Dead altar inspired by Frida Kahlo.

Madrid is getting ready to dress itself in cempasúchil (marigolds) for one of Mexico’s most beautiful and symbolic celebrations: the Day of the Dead, a date that honors life through color, memory, and celebration. An ancestral tradition that, every November, crosses borders and captures hearts with its ability to transform grief into tribute and nostalgia into art.

The soul of a tradition that transcends time

The Day of the Dead is more than just a festivity — it’s a luminous look at death, a deeply human way of reminding the world that those who have passed remain alive as long as their memory lives within us. Rooted in pre-Hispanic cultures, this celebration blends indigenous rituals with Catholic elements and symbols that speak of continuity, love, and belonging.

Altars covered with cempasúchil flowers, candles, photographs, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto form an offering where every element carries meaning: the light that guides, the scent that evokes, the flavor that unites.

Rocío Dúrcal: the most Mexican Spaniard

At Chambao Madrid, this connection between Mexico and Spain has become a ritual. Every year, the restaurant creates a monumental altar that grows in beauty and significance. In 2024, it was dedicated to Frida Kahlo, a symbol of strength, passion, and art. This year, the tribute honors another immortal figure who bridged both worlds with her voice: Rocío Dúrcal, the eternal “Queen of Mariachi.”

Born in Madrid, Rocío Dúrcal found in Mexico her second home. Since she first arrived in the 1970s, her voice has captivated Mexican audiences with rancheras that became timeless anthems. Songs like “La gata bajo la lluvia,” “Costumbres,” or “Amor eterno” became cultural bridges between Spain and Mexico.

In Mexico, she didn’t just achieve fame — she became part of the national soul: the Spanish woman who sang with Mexico’s heart. That is why Chambao dedicates this year’s altar to the artist who best symbolizes the cultural union between the two countries, reminding us that music, too, can be a bridge between the living and those who have departed.

At this corner of Paseo de la Castellana, the Day of the Dead is celebrated with the same spirit as in the Mexican villages: as a feast of life. The aroma of freshly baked pan de muerto fills the air, cempasúchil flowers color the space, and live music mingles with laughter and toasts. Because this tradition does not mourn absence — it celebrates the eternal presence of those who left their mark.

Madrid vibrates to the rhythm of Mexico

Just steps away, Mamazzita, the temple of Mexican Soul Mixology, adds the most festive and contemporary accent to the commemoration. Its bar becomes a liquid altar where every cocktail tells a story. From reinterpretations of La Frida to creations inspired by flowers, legends, and Mexican spirits, Mamazzita celebrates the essence of this day with flavor and emotion.

And while the Day of the Dead takes center stage, Chambao doesn’t forget its most mysterious night: on October 31, the restaurant transforms to celebrate Halloween with its signature cosmopolitan flair — a night where elegance and fantasy intertwine through light, music, and mystery.

An invitation to celebrate life

Between candles, pan de muerto, and tradition, Madrid once again surrenders to the charm of Mexico. An unmissable gathering for Mexicans living in the Spanish capital and for anyone eager to discover the depth and beauty of one of the world’s most fascinating traditions.

Because the Day of the Dead does not speak of absence, but of love, roots, and eternity.

And this year, it also speaks of an immortal voice that continues to sing from both sides of the ocean: Rocío Dúrcal.

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