Barbie joins the Day of the Dead - 30th October 2020

The Day of the Dead, every 2nd November, sees Mexico explode with life. Cemeteries fill with family gatherings at gravesides, celebrating the dead. The departed are presented with offerings of their favourite foods and drinks. Flowers and sweets are staples of the festival, and decorative skull and skeleton designs can be seen everywhere.

The latest addition to this unique event is a Day of the Dead Barbie.

Barbie enthusiast Zoila Muntané is particularly thrilled that someone of Mexican descent was selected to create the doll.

Meanwhile, toy collector Carlos Sandoval considers it wonderful that a doll has been produced to mark this tradition.

Despite this enthusiasm, some are critical, as sociologist Roberto Alvarez Manzo points out. The doll could be seen as cultural appropriation for financial gain.

Whatever people's views on this Barbie, the Day of the Dead remains a universally appreciated event which has even received recognition from UNESCO, where it features on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.