Christmas preparations going on in Mexico

(17 Dec 2006) SHOTLIST 1. Wide players performing "Pastorela", where the angel is fighting against the devil 2. Mid performance angel and devil fighting 3. Various players dressed as shepherd talking 4. Mid players dressed as devils 5. Close player representing a devil kicking to a woman, who represent the ignorance 6. Close little boy attending the performance 7. Mid people looking the performance 8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ada Contreras, director of Pastorela: "All the "pastorelas" represent the same topic: Lucifer is conquered by the archangel Miguel, by the love, by the birth (of Jesus). (the pastorela) Is to celebrate the birth (of Jesus). But in Mexico, is really important the way and tradition that (the pastorelas) have, because have 450 years or more" 9. Mid of players, angel talking with shepherd 10. Close of players, devil and angel 11. Mid angel, shepherd and devil speaking 12. Mid woman and her song looking the "pastorela" 13. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Candida Vera, audience: "I love it (pastorelas) because I came when I was a child, and now I come with my son. It is like a tradition, to continue with these shows for the people, because we are losing the tradition, and the tradition is part of our culture" ++NIGHT SHOTS++ 14. Wide Christmas lighting and people at Zocalo (main square) 15. Wide players representing a live nativity scenes on stage at Zocalo 16. Mid players performing Jose and Maria 17. Close Maria face 18. Close Jose face 19. Mid players dressed as shepherd walking before Jose and Maria 20. Various of players, three wise men carrying the gifts for Jesus 21. Wide people attending the performance 22. Various people passing before the live nativity scene 24. Mid of players, Jose and Maria 25. Mid woman and little boy looking at the live nativity scene 26. Mid children playing with sheep STORYLINE With just a few days to Christmas, Mexico City staged its third Christmas Festival on Saturday. The celebrations included the "Hispanic American Pastorela Festival" with the performance of an updated version of the ancient plays - probably brought to Mexico by the Spanish conquerors -of simple shepherds trying to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. In Mexico, the pastorelas usually feature crafty, wisecracking devils who try to mislead the shepherds during their journey. "All the "pastorelas" represent the same topic: Lucifer is conquered by the archangel Miguel, by the love, by the birth (of Jesus). (the pastorela) Is to celebrate the birth (of Jesus). But in Mexico, is really important the way and tradition that (the pastorelas) have, because have 450 years or more" said Ada Contreras, director of Pastorela. In the Zocalo (main square), the local government inaugurated a Live Nativity Scene, where players act out Jose and Maria's journey to Bethlehem. Camels, cows and sheep were on the stage, along with Jose, Maria, the angels, the shepherds and the three wise men. Nativity sets - which in Mexico are often made to depict entire Mexican farm communities - were long the unquestioned centre of Mexican families' holiday traditions. "I love it (pastorelas) because I came when I was a child, and now I come with my son. It is like a tradition, to continue with these shows for the people, because we are losing the tradition, and the tradition is part of our culture." said one audience member. Mexico's traditional celebrations enter full swing with nine days of "Posadas" - gatherings that commemorate Mary and Joseph's wanderings as they searched for lodging - from 16 to Christmas Eve. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...