Religious street festival in Guanajuato, Mexico

Religious street festival in Guanajuato, Mexico

Two children carry a small religious scene through the streets. The scene contains figures that may represent the biblical passage of Joseph and Mary fleeing from Egypt.Roman Catholicism is the largest religious affiliation in Mexico. While the role of the Church in politics and economics decreased after the Mexican Revolution, the Church is still one of the most influential social institutions. In both urban and rural settings, many people participate in public street festivals to honor religious holidays.Guanajuato is a large city in the central highlands of Mexico. It was an important colonial city because of the area's large silver deposits. Silver continues to be a major export, while tourism and industry round out the balance of the economy. Because it was an important colonial site, the city boasts of lavish colonial architecture and a historic city center that is recognized by UNESCO for its cultural heritage.