By James Wagner for The New York Times
In southern Mexico, a city dazzles with a celebration of its rich culture and history through a radish-carving competition, a cherished tradition upheld by generations of families.
The winning entry in the traditional radish category was made by Carlos David Vásquez López and his family for The Night of the Radishes contest in Oaxaca’s city center. It focused on Oaxacan food.
Visitors from Mexico and around the world stood for hours in a line that stretched for blocks to see a spectacle that the city of Oaxaca has hosted for more than 120 years.
The attraction? Radishes.
Every Dec. 23, the southern Mexican city, celebrated for its vibrant culture, cuisine, and history, comes to a near standstill for a simple vegetable typically served in soups, on salads, and with tacos, of course.
But instead of eating the radishes, the crowds gather for the annual Noche de Rábanos competition (the Night of the Radishes), where locals transform the root vegetable into extravagant works of art.
This year there were Nativity scenes, DÃa de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) displays, depictions of Indigenous mythology, and much more.
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Source: The New York Times