A Multidisciplinary Spectacle Celebrating 32 Years of Water Respect
The mystical allure and tradition of Xochimilco’s canals come alive in a multidisciplinary spectacle that marks its 32nd uninterrupted season. This year, the production, deeply rooted in the local community, pays homage to water—the lifeblood that birthed Mexico’s Cuenca and now faces severe crisis.
A Journey Through Time
The immersive experience begins as visitors board trajineras at the Cuemanco Embarcadero, embarking on a 45-minute nighttime journey through the canals, lit by torches and surrounded by chinampas. This voyage, amidst the night wind and natural sounds, transports audiences to Laguna de Tlilac, a unique natural setting that becomes the stage for the legend.
Upon reaching the island, the Nahui Teotls Artistic Group fuses contemporary music, pre-Hispanic theater, and dance to “take us back in time,” crafting a magical atmosphere amidst Mexico City’s sprawl.
Local Pride Drives the Production
José Caputitla, general producer, highlighted the valuable participation of all members, who, alongside Xochimilco’s mayor Circe Camacho, reaffirm that the production is a “regional pride” and an artistic heart of the capital.
Actress and singer Nayeli Cortés, who portrays Nahui and La Llorona, emphasized that the story is a human tale calling for remembering the past and acknowledging water as a generational bond. Cortés also underscored the professionalism of local participants: “this artistic group has solidified with talented musicians, dancers, and actors, as well as staff.” She also highlighted the story’s human aspect, urging audiences not to forget their ties with the past and to persevere against injustice, pain, and indifference.
A central element is the revival of pre-Hispanic music. The spectacle incorporates live performances of instruments once confined to museums, such as the huehuetl, teponaxtle, yaqui drum (water drum), turtle shells, and ancestral whistles, blending them with contemporary instruments.
Mayor Circe Camacho of Xochimilco stated that the chinampa region is a “local pride” and this unique experience aims to have significant impact. “Xochimilco will be the heart of the country’s capital with this artistic display,” she affirmed, thanking the Cuemanco embarcadero’s effort in attracting tourism and hosting “La Llorona” for 32 years.
This year, the production is also dedicated to the memory of Román Pastor Caputitla, a man who devoted his life to the chinampas and supported this tradition for years, emphasizing the spectacle’s deep connection to the region’s living history.
Commitment to Tradition and Sustainability
The longevity of “La Llorona” stems from its dual commitment: to ancestral tradition and the ecological preservation of Xochimilco.
Born in 1993, the spectacle aims to disseminate Xochimilco’s natural wealth—UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 1987 and recognized by FAO as a System Important of Agricultural Heritage (SIPAM) in 2018—while rescuing cultural and historical integrity. This season, dedicated to “The Last Beat of Water,” seeks to raise awareness about the vital resource’s importance in a place where its residents “resist letting their culture, traditions, and beliefs die.”
The urgency to address the water crisis is underscored, reminding audiences that the cradle of the Mexica empire emerged from labor in the vast lake. The production uses the natural environment—the canal water, night wind, and ahuejotes—as a perfect backdrop to raise awareness about ecosystem recovery.
The production team reaffirmed their commitment to building a culturally rich, artistic, and traditional tourism offering, making the Cuemanco Embarcadero the sole embarkation point for this experience.
“La Llorona. The Last Beat of Water” is a human and family story for coexistence in natural zones… Enjoying the rain that purifies Xochimilco’s chinampas, as a legacy of the spirits of ancestors who created and sowed in the region,” said actress Nayeli Cortés during the season’s inauguration.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is “La Llorona”? A multidisciplinary spectacle combining music, theater, and dance that pays tribute to water and celebrates 32 years of cultural resistance in Xochimilco.
- Who are the key figures involved? The production is driven by local community members, including actors, musicians, chinamperos, farmers, and boat rowers, with support from Xochimilco’s mayor Circe Camacho.
- What makes this production unique? It integrates pre-Hispanic music with contemporary sounds, using live instruments once found only in museums.
- What is the significance of water in this production? Water symbolizes a generational bond and is crucial to the region’s history, culture, and survival.
- What is the production’s commitment? It aims to preserve Xochimilco’s natural and cultural heritage while raising awareness about the water crisis.
Show Details
- Dates: October 3 – November 16 (weekends)
- Times: 6:30 PM, 7 PM, 8:30 PM, and 10:30 AM
- Ticket Price: $550 MXN
- Ticket Sales: Embarcadero Cuemanco ticket office and Ticketmaster
- Departure Point: Embarcadero Cuemanco (Periférico Sur s/n, adjacent to the rowing and canoeing track “Virgilio Uribe”)
- Recommendation: Arrive an hour before the show to board the trajinera, as the journey to Laguna de Tlilac takes approximately 45 minutes.
- Suggestion: Wear warm clothing and insect repellent.
- Services: Parking ($50.00), food, medical services, and restrooms.
Social Media
- Fb: La Llorona de Xochimilco en Cuemanco
- X: @LloronaCuemanco
- Ig: La_Llorona_cuemanco_Oficial
- YT: Llorona Cuemanco
- TikTok: La Llorona Cuemanco
For show schedules and days, visit:
www.lalloronaenxochimilcocuemanco.com
