Papantla Flyers Seek Park Relocation for Performances

The Papantla Flyers, a cherished group of performers long associated with Fundadores Park in Playa del Carmen, are appealing to municipal authorities for a relocation within the park. Their current location, assigned after a park renovation, has caused ongoing challenges that disrupt their iconic performances.

One of the main issues is the area’s use by sunbathers, who often turn the park’s walkways into open-air bars, consuming alcohol during the Flyers’ shows. Additionally, the Flyers’ pole is situated near municipal authority facilities, frequently obstructing emergency operations by Municipal Citizen Security and Civil Protection teams. These interruptions have forced the group to suspend performances on multiple occasions.

Isaac González, the Flyers’ representative, highlights how the move has impacted their ability to perform. “We want to relocate the pole of the Flyers because lately we have been affected by a problem there, with the people who come to the park and spend their time drinking,” González explains. “When we do our dance, we are affected because where we descend there is a bar where people sit, and we can no longer work comfortably.”

The group, previously stationed near the park’s kiosk, has raised this concern with multiple administrations, but no action has been taken. González adds, “When there’s an incident, like a drowning, and the patrol cars or ambulances have to enter, we can’t work anymore.” Despite the Flyers’ cultural significance and community appeal, their request for a better location within the park remains unresolved.

The Papantla Flyers, or “Voladores de Papantla,” perform an ancient Mesoamerican ritual known as the “Danza de los Voladores” (Dance of the Flyers). Originating from the Totonac people of Papantla, Veracruz, this ceremony was created to ask the gods to end a severe drought.

The ritual involves five participants: four flyers and a musician. They ascend a 30-meter pole, where the musician remains atop, playing a flute and drum to honor the sun and the four elements. The four flyers, tied with ropes, launch themselves from the platform, descending in a spiral, symbolizing the fall of raindrops and the fertility of the earth.

In 2009, UNESCO recognized the Dance of the Flyers as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting its cultural significance and the importance of preserving this tradition.

Today, the Papantla Flyers continue to perform this ritual in various parts of Mexico, including tourist destinations like Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, sharing their rich cultural heritage with audiences worldwide.

In Playa del Carmen, there are a total of 20 dancers who work in various shifts at this location. González states that the same number of families are affected by this issue, as they can’t earn enough income to meet their needs due to the disruptions to their performances.