Night of the Radishes
Encyclopedia
The Night of the Radishes is celebrated every year on December 23 and it began in 1897 in the “zócalo
” (main plaza) of Oaxaca city
. Although it lasts only a few hours, it attracts thousands of people to this plaza each year.
The event consists of an exhibition of sculptures made from a type of large red radish
which can weigh up to 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) and attain lengths up to 50 centimetres (19.7 in). These radishes are especially grown for this event, left in the ground for months after the normal harvests to let them attain their giant size and unusual shapes.
The sculptures are made by professional craftsmen and aficionados, who are mostly radish growers. Themes include complete nativity scene
s, party scenes with dozens of figures, Baile Folklorico
, models of real buildings built with much detail, and saint
s. The sculpted scenes include other materials such as dried flowers and corn husks but what makes a sculpture stand out is the creative cutting of the radish itself for effect, such as carefully peeling the red skin back and perforating it to create a lace skirt. A contest is held with the first-prize winner getting their picture in the newspaper.
Zócalo
The Zócalo is the main plaza or square in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City. The plaza used to be known simply as the "Main Square" or "Arms Square," and today its formal name is Plaza de la Constitución...
” (main plaza) of Oaxaca city
Oaxaca, Oaxaca
The city and municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, or simply Oaxaca, is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of the same name . It is located in the Centro District in the Central Valleys region of the state, in the foothills of the Sierra Madre at the base of the Cerro del Fortín...
. Although it lasts only a few hours, it attracts thousands of people to this plaza each year.
The event consists of an exhibition of sculptures made from a type of large red radish
Radish
The radish is an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family that was domesticated in Europe, in pre-Roman times. They are grown and consumed throughout the world. Radishes have numerous varieties, varying in size, color and duration of required cultivation time...
which can weigh up to 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) and attain lengths up to 50 centimetres (19.7 in). These radishes are especially grown for this event, left in the ground for months after the normal harvests to let them attain their giant size and unusual shapes.
The sculptures are made by professional craftsmen and aficionados, who are mostly radish growers. Themes include complete nativity scene
Nativity scene
A nativity scene, manger scene, krippe, crèche, or crib, is a depiction of the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke...
s, party scenes with dozens of figures, Baile Folklorico
Baile Folklorico
Baile folklórico, literally "folkloric dance" in Spanish, is a collective term for traditional Latin American dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics - pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly choreographed. As mentioned below, baile folklórico owes its inception to...
, models of real buildings built with much detail, and saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s. The sculpted scenes include other materials such as dried flowers and corn husks but what makes a sculpture stand out is the creative cutting of the radish itself for effect, such as carefully peeling the red skin back and perforating it to create a lace skirt. A contest is held with the first-prize winner getting their picture in the newspaper.