In the Guatemalan city of Antigua, Easter is a time of intense colours, fragrance and religious fervour. The processions along the “alfombras”, or carpets, are the highlight of the celebrations: The inhabitants of each district create “carpets" of coloured sawdust, often spanning more than a hundred metres. These are decorated with flowers, pine needles and fruit.

Neighbourhoods’ streets all boast a unique short-lived design, often with Catholic and also indigenous motifs. After the Easter mass, robed believers carry a statue of Jesus through the neighbourhoods. In the process, the beautiful carpets are almost completely destroyed. The tradition, which attracts millions of people every year, has been around since 1543.