✝️ Latin America’s Holy Week

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Due to Good Friday and the Tiradentes federal holiday on Friday and Monday, respectively, our Brazil Daily newsletter will be back on Tuesday, Apr. 22.

How Latin America celebrates Easter 

Catholic fervor has waned across Latin America, giving way to evangelical movements and rising secularism. Yet the region remains predominantly Catholic, and Semana Santa, or Holy Week, continues to play a central role in its cultural and religious life — even for nonbelievers.

• For millions, the weeklong celebrations — which begin with Palm Sunday and culminate on Easter — are akin to a second Christmas, fueling tourism, boosting commerce and bringing families together to perform rituals and prepare traditional dishes in remembrance of the life of Jesus Christ.

👉 Why it matters. Like Carnival and All Souls’ Day, Holy Week takes on a distinct character in each Latin American country, with customs that differ not only from one another but also from traditions in North America and Europe. This week, we take a closer look at how the festivities unfold across the region.

🌎 LatAm Report