Casa de México in Madrid has opened its ninth annual Day of the Dead altar, the institution's most visited exhibition of the year. Titled "Viva la vida!", the 2026 installation is designed by Mexican artist Beatriz Redo and pays tribute to the legendary composer Agustín Lara, with a set that evokes the cemeteries and mountains of Michoacán.
The centerpiece recreates a mountain cemetery in Michoacán on the night of the Day of the Dead, when families traditionally gather to symbolically reunite with their departed loved ones. Redo explains that she wanted to honor the monarch butterfly, a symbol of the region: "Michoacán receives the migration of the monarch butterfly, a massive journey from Canada that coincides with late October and early November. Tradition links it to the Day of the Dead." For the Purépecha and Mazahua communities, the arrival of these insects is seen as the return of the souls of the deceased.
A musical homage to Agustín Lara
The altar is dedicated to Agustín Lara (1897–1970), the Mexican singer-songwriter known as 'El Flaco de Oro', who was married to film star María Félix. Lara composed classics such as 'Granada', 'Solamente una vez', 'María Bonita', and the emblematic chotis 'Madrid', reflecting his deep connection to Spain. This year, for the first time, the tour is accompanied by his most famous songs, offering a visual and sonic journey through one of the world's most colorful traditions.
At the top of the altar, Lara is depicted as a papier-mâché skull seated at his piano, crafted by artisans Raimundo Amezcua and Marta Linares. The exhibition also features traditional Mexican folk art, including 'skeleton' mermaids made from embossed tin, and a section dedicated to papel picado, the intricate cut-paper technique. Citlali Pérez from Casa de México's communications department explains its significance: "When it is hung and moves, it represents the moment souls arrive at the altar to consume what we have offered."
New for 2026 is an altar dedicated to pets, honoring the animals that bring companionship to households. On the second floor, visitors can leave messages for their deceased loved ones; these are later burned in a ceremony after the exhibition closes.
Beyond Casa de México: altars across Madrid and Santander
The celebration extends beyond the foundation's headquarters on Calle Alberto Aguilera. In collaboration with Madrid City Council, three additional altars will be open from 23 October to 2 November at CentroCentro (designed by Guillermo González), La Montaña de los Gatos in El Retiro park (by Fer Ferez), and the Arganzuela Greenhouse (by the studio Señoritos Creativos). The newly opened Faro Santander cultural centre will also host an altar designed by set designer Cristina Faesler.
The Day of the Dead was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on 7 November 2003. Of pre-Hispanic origin, the tradition views death as the beginning of a journey to Mictlán, and the altar as a celebration of memory and intergenerational bonds, through photographs, candles, cempasúchil flowers, and objects meaningful to the deceased.
The altar at Casa de México is free to visit from 2 October to 8 November, including the public holidays on 12 October and 2 November. Opening hours are Monday 10:00–18:45, Tuesday to Friday 10:00–13:45, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00–12:30. Guided tours (about 20 minutes, covering the building's three floors) run Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 20:30, Saturdays from 13:00 to 20:30, and Sundays from 13:00 to 18:30.
This year's altar coincides with a broader cultural moment in Madrid, where the city is also hosting Shakira's residency and Woody Allen's latest film received a €3 million boost. For those interested in the intersection of tradition and contemporary urban life, the altars across Madrid offer a unique glimpse into Mexican heritage in the heart of Europe.
