In the municipality of Atlixco, in the Mexican state of Puebla, a very particular festival began on July 2.

Between surprise and admiration, the public approached the "Straw Festival" (Festival de Paja), a new event in which sculptures of more than 20 meters made of straw are showcased. The Straw Festival is the largest straw event in Latin America, and will be held from July 2 to Aug. 29, 2021.

The exhibition has 25 giant sculptures, with many in the shape of animals. Many families from the municipality gathered on the first day of the festival to look at the sculptures and attend the recreational activities offered, such as a zip line, mechanical games, a train ride and of course, to go through the food areas and enjoy the regional eats, beer and wine.

In addition, the Straw Festival presented the parade, "The magic of life," which seeks to bring a message of love and care towards nature. 

Following the example of the Wara Art Festival in Japan, this first edition of the Straw Festival wants to celebrate the joy of life and thank the goodness of the harvest.

The artists collect straw left over from the harvest to design giant sculptures. Inside the space, the experience is fun, as visitors can tour on foot or by train as you pass by Hummingbirds in Freedom, Cat's Labyrinth, Elephants and Butterflies, Panda Bear and Peacock Throne.

Carlos Miguel Ramirez, architect and creator of the space, has been making sculptures for 10 years and participated in more than 30 festivals.

Originally from Colima, Ramirez told EFE that to prepare everything, he needed the support of 100 people to give shape and life to the festival, and preparations took approximately three weeks.

"For me it is a pleasure to be in Atlixco and verify the quality of Atlixco's hands, because they worked like nowhere else, people who told them how to do things and immediately followed the example and we were able to produce the pieces faster than in other places," he said.