ENGLISH

FIESTA IN MEXICO

In words of the Mexican poet Octavio Paz, "Parties are the only luxury we have", and in fact, there is not a day on which, because of the festivity of any saint, or for any other reason, celebrations take place in any part of Mexico, with fireworks, band concerts and popular "verbenas" (with the participation of all inhabitants").
Some popular parties stem from the indigenous celebrations, while others were brought by the Spanish conquerors.

The "San Marcos" Fair (St. Marcus) in April and May in Aguascalientes

This important fair combines the commerce with gambling and other entertainment activities. Among the most important attractions, you can find the famous "pelea de gallos" (cock fights)

The most representative festivities of Mexico are:

"Cinco de Mayo" (5th of May)"

The commemoration of the battle of Puebla, where the Mexican army defeated the French invading army, at the city of Puebla in 1862. This city hosts a parade to remember this historical event. Contrary to the belief of many other parts of the world, this is not Independence Day in Mexico.

Mother's day

On May 10, Mexicans pay homage to all Mothers in Mexico, and it is a tradition to invite them to restaurants according to the economic status of each person.

San Isidro's Day

On May 15, farming seeds, agricultural work tools and animals are blessed, prior to the start of the land cultivation season in rural Mexico. At the local church's gate, the blessing takes place, and around of it, food, and portable recreation units( such as merry-go rounds) are set to celebrate this Day.

Corpus Christie

Latin words for the "Body of Christ ". It takes place either in May or June and it involves religious ceremonies and processions which are organized all over Mexico. In a festive manner it is identified as "Little Mare's Day" as animals are taken to the church to be blessed and small kids are dressed as Mexican Indians (which represent the agricultural labor force) and are taken also to church to thank God.

"Lienzo Charro"

It is the place where Mexican "Charros" (traditional Mexican ranchers) make rodeo exhibitions, almost each Sunday with riders in typical costumes at the "Lienzo Charro" located at the third section of the Chapultepec forest.

"Guelaguetza"

This event takes place by the end of June in the southern state of Oaxaca. It is characterized by its traditional dances, regional suits and clothing representing the inhabitants of every region of this marvelous state. It is one of the major celebrations of the year for the people of Oaxaca.

Maria Asuncion 's Day.

On August 15, Mexicans commemorate Virgin Mary's Day with processions and religious ceremonies throughout the whole Country. The most conspicuous take place in Huamantla Tlaxcala, where the Charity Virgin's party lasts two weeks and finshes up the festivities with a bullfight and flowers being offered to the church altar.

Cervantino International Festival

Theatre, Musical and Dancing Groups from all over the world gathered in Guanajuato, Mexico during the month of October. Enriching the cultural life of Mexicans, the festival is dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes ( hence the name Cervantino) author of the novel "El Quijote", and one of most acclaimed authors of the Spanish language. Mexican youths with cultural interest gather in the town's main plaza and theaters to enjoy life and art.

The Day of the Dead (Mexican Halloween).

This celebration takes place from October 31st through November 2nd, being one of the most popular festivities in the country. In accordance to a popular belief, the soul of dead people is permitted to visit their living friends and relatives in this time of year. During this day, Mexicans welcome the dead people's souls with flowers, food specially prepared for such occasion (usually the dead on'es favorite in life), candles, incense and paper and candy skulls. This is not a morbid festivity but rather one that is supposed to bring peace and happiness.

Bullfights Season

It takes place from November to March. Among the most important towns where this famous event takes place, are: Mexico City, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas

Santa Cecilia Day

This party dedicate to musicians takes place on November 22. Parties are organized in the Garibaldi Plaza (Where Mexican "Mariachis" gather and perform) in Mexico City.

Virgin of Guadalupe Day

This party, which takes place on December 12, is celebrated in all villages, towns and cities of Mexico who remember the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City in 1531. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country go to the Virgin's sanctuary in Mexico City called "La Villa " to thank and sing " Las Mañanitas" ( "The little mornings" .Mexican song that Mexicans sing to their loved ones on their birthday, very early in the morning). On all the roads taking to the Guadalupe temple, the local believers prepare food and drinks or refreshments to help pilgrims to fulfill their promises and sacrifices of visiting the Virgin's temple on her birthday.

The Traditional "Posadas"

From December 16 through December 24, these parties are celebrated all over Mexico. During nine nights, Mexicans commemorate the story of Mary and Joseph, when they were looking for shelter, just a few days before Jesus' birth. Participants take ceramic figures of Mary and Joseph ("The Pilgrims") in a symbolic manner to be deposited at the home of the Posada host, accompanied with candles and singing the traditional song. Each night ends up with a party at a different house; an important part of the "posada" party is the "piñata", a clay or paper pot ornamented with colorful paper on the outside,
filled with candy and fruit. The piñata hangs from a rope. Children are blindfolded to hit the "piñata" with a stick, until it is broken, the candy and fruit fall to the floor and everyone throw themselves on the ground to pick up the piñata's treats.

The origin of this tradition goes back to the time when the Spanish Missionaries covered a pot with colored papers and put seven spikes representing the seven deadly sins, when the pot was broken with the stick, presents and candy fell to the floor as a sort of reward from heaven for breaking the sin.

Day of the Holy Innocents ("Santos Inocentes")

It is celebrated on December 28, and it is the day when everybody pull pranks and jokes on others being similar to April Fool´s in the U.S.A. According to the tradition, when King Herod from Israel was informed that the new Messiah had been born and that it was one year old, he ordered that all children who were about that age to be killed. This story also tells that when the Virgin Mary realized that the guards were close, she prayed asking God to save her child who had just turned one year old, the guards asked Virgin Mary to show them what she was carrying in her arms, and then a miracle happened since the guards only saw a beautiful flower wreath.

Epifanía (The Three Wise Men Day)

On January 6, Mexicans celebrate the day of the Three Wise Men, the Mexican children receive toys and presents on the morning of January 6, and the traditional Wise Men Ring Bread ("rosca de reyes") is eaten, which is a round sponge cake, full of dry fruit which represent the presents given by the Wise Men. Within the "rosca", small figures of Baby Jesus are hidden, and whoever finds a figure must to organize a party on February 2 celebrating that this person was blessed, finding Baby Jesus.

When Jesus was born, the Bethlehem star shone intensely, then the Wise Men upon looking at this sign in the sky, knew that by following it, they would arrive to the place where Baby Jesus had been born, so they decided to go greet him, taking with them three presents to offer him that were gold, incense and myrrh.

Candelaria's Day

On February 2, the fortunate person who found the Baby Jesus figure in the Wise Men Bread (rosca), organizes a party, offering music, tamales ( stuffed corn pie), and
atole (Beverage made from corn) .

March 21

On this day, the arrival of spring and the anniversary of the birth of the Mexican National Hero Benito Juárez are both celebrated, although none of these two holidays involves a traditional party.

Holy Week

This week is very important since it commemorates the most critical days in the story of Jesus, when he was crucified, glorified and resurrected .You will find on this week in all churches of Mexico, food, juices and symbols being sold. This symbols are to commemorate each day of the Holy Week, for instance on Holy Thursday, some small bread is blessed, to ensure that food is not missing at home. On Holy Friday, Easter candles are taken along with buckets containing water; these items are left in the church and picked up later until resurrection Sunday. Glory Saturday was for some a special time of year as children were awoke by someone pulling their ears and saying "Happy Glory Saturday!" Then later on, everybody got to wet each other on the street by dumping buckets of water on your friends. This tradition has disappeared due to the need to preserve water.

Children´s Day

On April 30, all children are celebrated, and are taken to restaurants and malls where they receive candy, balloons, and toys. Their family takes them out to celbrate or they organize a party at home and invite their friends.

Independence Day September 15, 16

The night of September 15 the commemoration of Mexican Independence is celebrated in a special manner all over Mexico. At eleven o'clock at night, the Shouting Declaration of Independence ("El Grito") is reproduced by the current President of Mexico, shouting this declaration (that first took place on the year 1810 and it invited Mexicans to gain independence from Spain) from the balcony of the National Palace. This historical celebration is reproduced in all the plazas of every town in Mexico by local authorities, with plenty of food, games and fireworks around. That night, a group of minor offenders is freed from jail, to symbolize the freedom of the nation.

October 12 the Day of the Race

It is known as Day of Race (Columbus Day). Mexicans commemorate on this day the discovery of the Americas by the famous conqueror.