The Mexican Embassy on Tuesday night celebrated El grito de Independencia or the Cry of Independence at the Pegasus Hotel in commemoration of its 199th Independence.
The celebration was a re-enactment of what was done when the country first won its freedom from Spanish rule. It was also the culmination of activities that were put on in observation of its Independence.
The celebration was the first of its kind here and resident Ambassador of Mexico Fernando Sandoval Flores, expressed pride in celebrating the struggle his country faced for its independence. In a toast with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who stood in for President Bharrat Jagdeo, the Ambassador called for a strengthening of relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the PM expressed his pleasure on behalf of the country and sincerely wished the Ambassador all the best, noting that the struggle was one that sought to build a better Mexico.
Mentioning the agreements like the Science and Technology Cooperative Agreement and training of Spanish teachers in Mexico, Hinds said these were further evidence of what “is achievable through bilateral arrangements.
The event was celebrated by the Mexican community, Peace Corps, members of the government and opposition as well as other special invitees.
Last weekend the Pegasus Hotel Guyana in collaboration with the Embassy of México hosted a Mexican food festival at the hotel. Music and videos about México were shown and a Guest Chef from México prepared all the meals. According to the Embassy’s Administrative Officer, Glendon Johnson, the food festival was fruitful.
El Grito
In the early hours of September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo, accompanied by several conspirators rang the bell of his little church calling everyone to fight for liberty. This was the beginning of the Independence War which lasted 10 years. Ever since, the events of September 16 are re-enacted in every plaza in México and commemorated by Mexicans all over the world.
September is known in México as Mes d la Patria (the month of our nation). Restaurants serve traditional dishes and people walk around dressed in typical Mexican dress or indigenous dresses. As persons continue to gather in the squares, the evening of September 16 builds up when a government official arrives at the square and gives the grito or cry or independence like Father Hidalgo did years ago. The high point of the ceremony is achieved when the people gathered in the square join in the shouting of the names of the heroes of Independence to end with the shout of “Viva México”. The night is closed off with fireworks.
