Yolpaki, a Náhuatl word meaning “happy heart,” gives its name to this gathering that proudly celebrates the festive spirit and cultural identity of the people of Veracruz. This parade, a central event in the programme of Festival Internacional Cervantino, seeks to establish itself as a regional hallmark showcasing the richness of jarocho traditions.

The parade features expressions such as the masked dance cuadrilla of Coscomatepec, the danza de las guaguas, accompanied by traditional drum and flute, the danza de los negritos, a ritual of women dancing to the sound of guitar, jarana and violin; the danza de los quetzales, the Afro-Mexican comparsa from Almolonga, the penquitos from the Xico neighbourhood, the Afro-descendant carnival of Tamiahua (in the Huasteca region), the Xochicoscatl Indigenous dance of Chicontepec with a trío huasteco, the carnivals of Huayacocotla and Zacualpan, an Indigenous wedding, and the huapangos of Chicontepec alongside the Xochipilli dance.

Also joining are the wind band “Tradición de mi Tierra” from Benito Juárez, the cuadrilla of Xantolo from Tantoyuca, the carnival comparsa of Veracruz, and the group Achaneh, “Diosa del Agua,” from the municipality of Zaragoza. The parade is further enriched by the Playa Vicente wind band and eight women from the Mixtec, Mixe, Chinantec, Mazatec, Zapotec and Afro-Mexican peoples. The entire event is accompanied by mobile sound systems, jaraneros, danzón couples, mojigangas and cold fireworks.