Imagine Mexico in 1821, when the Independence movement finally prevailed and freed the country from Spanish colonial rule. It was a land of huge cultural diversity, enormous regional differences and the most rudimentary system of communications.
![[flags]](images/flags.jpeg)
How then were the new leaders going to forge a national identity to
unite all these disparate elements? Through the rest of that century and
into the Revolutionary era, nation building was achieved with the
relentless emphasis of patriotic symbols and mythologizing the
Independence movement and its leaders.
Little wonder then that Mexico devotes an entire month -- September, when the Independence struggle began -- to honor its national heritage. The entire nation is swathed in red, white and green, flags and bunting adorn homes, businesses and fly from cars and buses. We bring you some of that history this month in our feature article.
Warren Sharpe, editor
It's not a beauty contest: participants must be students at one of
the local high schools or junior colleges, they must demonstrate a
knowledge of Mexican history and will be judged on how well they sing
the national anthem. No easy task!
7 p.m. Town Hall Esplanade
Tuesday 6 - Thu 8
Fiesta of the Birth of the Holy Virgin
A traditional saint's day fiesta in many communities, most named Santa
María, among them: Sta. María Colotepec. Activities include the
traditional calenda parade with brass band and huge papier-mache
puppets, the castillo fireworks display, rodeos (jaripeos), sports
contests and dances.
Saturday 10
Gigante de América
Born in 1982 as Bronco, this norteña band has enjoyed a national and
international following and a string of huge selling albums ever since.
Best known for the oom-pah sound of big band pop music from the north,
they also spice it up with cumbia and ballads.
10 p.m. Beníto Juárez Sports complex.
Tuesday 13
Commemoration of the Heroic Children of Chapultepec
The young cadets from the military academy in Chapultepec Castle are
remembered on this day, the 158th anniversary of their death in the
defense of Mexico City against the invading U.S. forces.
(See more on the Niños de Chapultepec in our story on Patriotic September)
A flag-raising ceremony takes place at 7 a.m. and a civic ceremony
eulogizing the national heroes begins at 9 a.m. An honor guard comprised
of students from various local schools and colleges holds vigil throughout the day at the Monument
to the Heroic Children located in the Town Hall Plaza
6:30 p.m. Traditional Calenda parade to kick off the Independence Day
holidays
8 p.m. Social Cultural Program performances featuring local primary
school students.
Thursday 15
Ceremony of the Cry for Independence
Throughout Mexico, on this night before Independence Day, people gather
at the local government building to watch music and dance performances,
listen to speeches and the traditional ceremony commemorating the Cry of
Dolores, el Grito de Dolores. which launched the struggle for freedom
from Spain.
It was Santa Ana who initiated the reenactment of El Grito in 1853. But we probably have Don Porfirio Díaz to thank for establishing the event on Sept. 15 -- which happened to be his birthday -- at the glittering ceremony in 1910 marking the centenary of the Independence movement.
![[hidalgo]](images/hidalgo.jpeg)
According to the historical record, Father Hidalgo called for "Death to
the Spaniards! Long Live the Virgin of Guadalupe!". But, today, the
exhortation has since been secularized; today the head of government
invokes the following
"Mexicans, long live Mexico; Long live Independence; Long live Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla; Long live José María Morelos y Pavon; Long live all the heroes who gave us our country and our freedom. Long live Mexico! Long live Mexico! Long live Mexico!"
After the speeches are over, bells are rung and the fireworks are launched into the skies, it's time to dance into the wee hours.
El Grito Activities in Puerto:
7 a.m. Flag Raising Ceremony
5. p.m. Flag Lowering
7:00 p.m. Social and Cultural Event featuring traditional music and
dance, oration and ranchera singer Kenya Salinas Arroquín, a local gal
who is making a name for herself nationally.
10 p.m. Grito Ceremony
11:30 p.m. Dance with El Sol Mayor
All events are free and take place at the Town Hall Esplanade.
Friday 16
Independence Day
195th anniversary of the birth of the movement for independence from
Spain. A national holiday; banks, government offices and service
businesses will be closed. Many people will take a long four-day
weekend. So there will lots of activities planned, such as rodeos,
dances, special dinners
Official Program in Puerto:
8 a.m. Civic Ceremony
8:30 a.m. Independence Day Parade
The army, civic groups and every school and college in town participate.
The parade marches from the Town Hall Esplanade up 3rd Poniente street
to 8th Norte, then down Av. Oaxaca.
6 p.m. Flag Lowering Ceremony
4 p.m. Jaripeo, that's what they call the popular bull-riding rodeo,
essential part of holiday fun.
Admission $20 pesos, Plaza de Toros La Costeñita
Thursday 22
Autumn Begins at 5:23 p.m.
Tue 27 - Thu 29
Feast of St. Michael
Annual Fair in Puerto's colonia San Miguel, as well as many other
communities named for the Archangel. You can enjoy the usual complement
of parades, fireworks, dancing and rodeos. Further details unavailable at
press time.
![[longboard]](images/longboard_small.jpeg)
Saturday Oct. 1
All Star Jaripeo
National stars of the Mexican rodeo from the charro state of
Jalisco will show their stuff, including the colorfully named Boss of Bosses,
the She Wolf of Jalisco and the Love Struck Cowboy. Musical
accompaniment and dancing afterwards to La Bandononona y Fiera de la
Chilena.
8 p.m. Plaza de Toros La Costeñita
Sat. Oct 8 - Wed 12
Central Surf Longboard Tube Riding Contest
World class longboarding returns to Puerto with 6th edition of this
classic contests, which pits the skills of the world's best pro-surfers
against the capricious surf of Zicatela Beach. (See more).