Community festivals in Talcahuano and Zaragoza keep local traditions alive

In Talcahuano, Chile, the annual Carnival celebrates the city’s 262nd anniversary with vibrant murgas. Neighborhood groups, such as those from Caleta Tumbes, Las Higueras, El Arenal and Cerro David Fuentes, spend the year rehearsing and crafting colorful costumes, supported by a municipal grant of 4 million Chilean pesos for materials, instruments and other expenses. The performances feature drummers, singers and dancers interpreting classic rock, cumbia and pachanga tunes, turning the carnival into a living cultural heritage.

In Zaragoza, Spain, the tradition of giant wooden figures, known as "cabezudos," is maintained by local comparison groups. Volunteers from neighborhoods organize events, school visits and festivals, passing the practice to new generations. A typical group may involve dozens of carriers and dozens of "cabezudos," coordinating through simple communications like WhatsApp. The activity is seen as a way to keep the centuries‑old custom, originally linked to Corpus Christi processions, as part of the city’s popular culture.