Night of the Radishes

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The Night of the Radishes (Noche de Rábanos) is celebrated every year on December 23, began in 1897 in the “zócalo” (main plaza) of Oaxaca city. It lasts only a few hours but attracts thousands of people to this plaza. It consists of an exhibition of sculptures made from a type of large red radish which can weigh up to 3 kilos in weight and 50 cm in length.^[1] 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.^[2]

The sculptures are made by professional craftsmen and aficionados, who are mostly radish growers. Themes include complete nativity scenes, party scenes with dozens of figures, folk dance, models of real buildings built with much detail, and saints. ^[1] The sculpted scenes include other materials such as dried flowers and corn husks but what makes a sculpture stand out is the created way of cutting a 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 his/her picture in the newspaper.^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Quintanar Hinojosa, Beatriz (August 2007). "[www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx Joyas ocultas de los valles centrales]". Guía México Desconocido: Oaxaca 137: 90. 
2. ^ December in Oaxaca. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
3. ^ Christmas in Oaxaca. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.