Huge skeletons have “come to life” on a street in Mexico City. Celebrating the Day of the Dead, the sculptures have become the center of attention in the whole Tlahuac neighborhood.

They measure over 11 feet wide and 7 feet tall, and set the tone for the important annual festival during which the locals honor the lives of the departed.

Image credits: San Pedro Tláhuac Tradicional

Image credits: San Pedro Tláhuac Tradicional

Piles of crumbled concrete at the places where the skeletons are connected to the street perfectly create the illusion that the undead are bursting through the asphalt.

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Image credits: Metro Tacubaya

The lively sculptures were created by Jaén Cartonería, a family team of artisans who have been embracing the tradition for the past eight years.

Image credits: Metro Tacubaya

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Jaén Cartonería used papier-mâché to create the sculptures and painted them in a way that makes it look like the skeletons are smiling.

The Day of the Dead holiday has family and friends gathering to pray for and remember their loved ones who have died, supporting their spiritual journey. Interestingly, in Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Therefore, Mexicans view this multi-day holiday not as a day of sadness but as a day of happiness, since their loved ones have come to celebrate with them.

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Image credits: Jaén Cartonería

Image credits: Raymundo Medina Jaen

Image credits: Raymundo Medina Jaen

Here’s what people said about the sculptures

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