CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR IN THE CEMETERY

*Cementerio Municipal de Talca*

This weird tradition has its origin in the city of Talca- central zone of Chile- since 1979. The Opazo family get used to climb the  surrounding wall of the General Cemetery just to visit slyly a close relative who worked at that cemetery and later was buried there. So an increasing amount of Talquinos started to do the same: Visiting their deceased relatives to celebrate every new year. Since 1995, when the head of the General Cemetery decided to make this activity official. Since then, many families bring their food and bottles of champagne to celebrate at midnight the new year along with their deceased relatives next to their tombs.