Arts & Entertainment

Mexicans return to the capital to celebrate country’s independence

By Monica Rubalcava

Mexico City, Sep 15 (EFE).- The marking of Mexican Independence returned to pre-pandemic levels Thursday with people from all regions of the country heading to the capital’s Zócalo to shout the traditional “Viva México!” and watch iconic band Los Tigres del Norte.

“I came to greet AMLO (President Andrés Manuel López Obrador), even if it is to see him from afar, because we agree with everything he is doing,” said Guadalupe Rojo, a merchant who had been waiting since noon for the opening of the security fences to grab a spot near the window of the National Palace where López Obrador was to make an appearance, ring the bell and yell “Viva México!”

Accompanied by her children, Guadalupe said that it was the second time that she has been on the esplanade to support the Mexican president. Her family also gathered to see the corrido singers.

Her truck driver son Óscar Murillo arrived in Mexico City from Los Angeles, United States, with the same enthusiasm as his mother to see López Obrador and Los Tigres del Norte, of whom he is a fan.

Verónica and Raúl Delgado, a couple from Chihuahua, decided at the last minute to go to the capital to celebrate this Mexican tradition for the first time in the Zócalo, commemorating 112 years since the beginning of the independence movement.

“It was spontaneous. I was working and around September 16 we said, ‘Well, let’s go to Mexico (City),'” said Raúl, who will be in the capital with his wife for six days and who said they will miss the traditional fairs held in their neighborhood, as in many other localities of Mexico.

Verónica wore a dress with traditional Mexican elements and colors that her husband gave her in Chihuahua, while Raúl found his outfit in the capital.

“I’m a paunchy mariachi, that’s how we mariachis are,” said Raúl, who was wearing a printed shirt with a charro suit and a tricolor wig, laughing.

María Guadalupe Salazar traveled in a truck with 45 people from the central state of San Luis Potosí to celebrate, for the first time, the traditional shout and attend “an event of such magnitude.”

Some local residents were also walking through the center until it became “impassable,” as was the case of Edmundo Beltrán, a retired police officer who, accompanied by his wife Leticia and granddaughters María Cristel and Mitzy, sought to continue with the family tradition.

“We are one million percent Mexicans. Today the 212th anniversary of the beginning of independence is celebrated, and this (coming to the center) is a lifelong custom,” the 72-year-old said.

At school, María and Mitzy experienced the representation of the independence movement of 1810 and, dressed in long skirts, white blouses and braided hairstyles adorned with green, white and red ribbons, they walked through the historic center.

Leticia said that at home they would celebrate with typical food such as pozole, tamales and fritters that she would make.

The massive party in the Zócalo was to begin at 8.30 pm (01:00 GMT) with the concert of Los Tigres del Norte, and it was expected to be temporarily interrupted at 11 pm for the formal ceremony of the cry of independence led by López Obrador. EFE

mrl/tw

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