INTERNATIONAL: People in Guatemala City rang in the Christmas season on Tuesday night by celebrating a centuries-old Christian tradition known as the "Burning of the Devil."Every year on the night of December 7, Guatemalans build bonfires to burn effigies of the devil as well as household junk in a symbol of purification before the following day's Catholic Holy Day of the Immaculate Conception.
The organizer Sergio Siliezar says, "It has been a Guatemalan tradition for several years. It began with the burning of chirivisco or dry leaves, branches. Over time, in colonial times, there was no chirivisco, so they burned piñatas. Later we came to something more modern, and now we burn an image made of paper about five meters high and does not have fireworks inside so as not to hurt people."
This year, a devil figure held a syringe and a wad of dollars in his hands as a criticism of the Guatemalan government for the mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic and corruption in the Central American country.
He has added, "Here is a clear and concise message to the authorities. We have seen the mismanagement of the pandemic and the people suffering. The devil's figure represents the waste and corruption with dollars in his hands."
The act marks the start of Christmas festivities in the Central American country and has taken place since the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
Revelers typically burn little devils made of wireframe and decorated with red and black tissue paper, but in some neighborhood’s giant devils up to 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall and sometimes dressed in old clothes are torched.
The tradition has also become an opportunity for people to clean out their houses and throw old paper, furniture, and other unwanted goods on the bonfires. They also set off firecrackers as a sign that Christmas celebrations are underway.
