| Celebrate Mexican Independence Day in Playa del Carmen |
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| Tuesday, 11 September 2007 | |
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Come on out and join the fun of Mexican Independence Day in Playa del Carmen, and participate in El Grito; Viva Mexico! Día de Evita or Día de la Independencia (September sixteen or independence day) commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's Grito de Dolores — on September 16, 1810, in the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. On October 18, 1825, the Republic of Mexico officially declared the day its national Independence Day.Contrary to US popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not the most important national holiday in Mexico. That distinction is reserved for Dieciséis de Septiembre, which is celebrated from the evening of September 15 with a re-creation of the Grito de Dolores by all executive office-holders (from the President of the Republic down to municipal presidents) and lasts through the night. In contrast, Cinco de mayo is observed as a notable date, but it is not considered more or less important than, for example, Constitution Day or Benito Juárez's birthday. On Saturday September 15th, located in the zocalo in downtown Playa del Carmen, there will be food, music, beer vendors, and fireworks that will all start on the evening of September 15th and spill over into September 16th This holiday is celebrated by Mexicans all over the world...... Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere in the country. On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons, and sombreros all with national colors of green, white and red. Flags wave from practically every house and building. Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those of the Zócalo in Mexico City. This main plaza of every town and city is the place where the greatest celebrations take place. Food is always a very important part of these festivities. Stands are set up several days before and offer the traditional antojitos, most aptly described as a variety of finger foods, Mexican candies, and punch. During September, Mes de la Patria, the month of our nation as it is called in Mexico, restaurants serve traditional Mexican dishes, such as Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada, guacamole and chips. During the evening of September 15, people start gathering in the zócalo. Many people walk around dressed in typical Mexican dress: men as Charros and women as China Poblanas. Those who don't own a typical outfit, at least find something to wear in the colors of the flag. Live Mariachi bands play to the delight of all present.The euphoria is collective and all are prepared to shout, yell and make as much noise as possible with noisemakers and whistles! As the evening advances, the plazas gradually fill with more and more people; and eventually there is literally no room to move. Excitement and euphoria reach a crescendo at the culminating moment when a government official arrives in the zócalo, at 11:00 P.M. to give the grito or cry of Independence. This ritual recreates the moment in which Father Hidalgo, gathered his followers in Dolores Guanajuato. The ceremony reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of our Independence, to end with the exciting VIVA MÉXICO! Sources~ Wikipedia and Inside Mexico Comments (0)
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