This week marked the world premiere of one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. The 24th movie in the James Bond franchise, Spectre, sees Agent 007 in hot pursuit of a sinister organisation known only as Spectre.
The trademark pre-credit opening sequence sees Daniel Craig's Bond racing through the streets of Mexico City against the backdrop of Mexico's loud, colourful Day of the Dead celebrations.
Following the glitzy premiere at London's Royal Albert Hall, the elite moved to the British Museum for a Day of the Dead themed after-party.
You may think that this is a strange choice for a party.
But the unlikely combination of music, laughter and death are a cause for celebration for people in Mexico during Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead.
A festival of remembrance taking place between 31 October and 2 November, this unique version of the Roman Catholic feasts of All Saints' and All Souls' Days is an occasion to remember the deceased.
Underpinning the festival is the belief that it would be insulting to the dead to commemorate them with mourning and grief. Instead, their lives are celebrated with the food, drink, parties and activities they enjoyed in life. On the Day of the Dead, the dearly departed are part of the community once again, called from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.
Although part of the festival coincides with and demonstrates similarities to our Halloween, it does not see death as something terrifying and to be feared but as part of a natural continuum with life. The "calaca" (skeletons) and "calavera" (skulls) that appear everywhere during the Day of the Dead are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, dressed in fancy clothes and partaking in entertaining situations.
Its origins date back to an ancient Aztec festival dedicated to Mictecacihuatl, Queen of the Underworld or Lady of the Dead, a festival that lasted for a full month. In modern Mexico, however, 1 November is "Día de los Inocentes" (Day of the Innocents) or "Día de los Angelitos" (Day of the Little Angels), on which dead children are commemorated, and 2 November, "Día de los Muertos", remembers deceased adults.
Friends and family of the deceased will go to cemeteries to be at the resting places of their loved ones and build private altars named "ofrendas", in which they put their favourite foods and drinks as well as photos and other things which belonged to them during their lives.
Prayers are said for the dead and anecdotes and stories are told about them, the intention being that the souls will return to hear the prayers and what the living are saying about them.
The graves are cleaned and decorated during the festival and orange Mexican flowers, marigolds, are placed on the altars. It is believed the "flor de muerto" (flower of the dead) attract the souls of the departed to the offerings placed on the graves which often include toys for dead children and sweets, food and drinks such as tequila, mescal and pulque for adults.
As a beautiful celebration of life, you do not need to be Mexican or Catholic to honour your dearly departed.
