VIVA MEXICO!About 10:00pm the actual celebration of "El Grito" or "The Cry" begins. There are several activities that take place before "El Grito" which is always at 11:00pm. All over Mexico, at 11:00pm, "El Grito" is celebrated.
On the balcony of the municipal building in town, the mayor (or president as he is called) will come out at 11:00pm, make a speech, ring the bell, and wave the flag, shouting "Viva", "Viva Mexico."
The picture above, is the the balcony with the Mexican flag made of lights. If you look closely, you can see a gold rope, hanging in the middle. This is the rope to the bell which the mayor will ring.
The first thing that happened was, about 20 men came running down the street, each carrying a lighted torch. They ran up to the stage where a large torch was lit. This fire signifies a gift to the people of Puerto Vallarta from the people of the state of Guanajuato. After the large torch was lit, tradition says that everyone in the crowd is supposed to get a torch, and hold it high in the air. Actually there were only about 20 or 25 torches which were given to the people who held them for a few minutes and then put out the flame.
After the torches were put out, people went up on the stage and had their pictures made with the fire. Emma took the picture of me. See below! I am standing in front of a huge Mexican flag, holding one of the torches, and the people on the right are waiting to have their pictures taken.
After the lighting of the fire ceremony, (and the large fire was put out), a small band came marching to the stage, playing the national anthem, and the Mexican flag was presented onstage.
Next the army came. It was a small group of soldiers representing the Mexican army which won the independence from Spain. They stood at attention and the drums and bugles played for (what seemed like) a long time.
The army presented a large Mexican flag to the mayor who then took it up to the balcony. Before the mayor appeared on the balcony with the flag, another man read the story of Father Hidalgo and the first Independence Day. Finally at 11:00, the mayor appeared, carrying the flag, and he shouts "Viva", and rings the bell, to which the people reply "Viva" (this is done 4 times) and finally "Viva Mexico" while waving the flag. See picture below.
After "El Grito" there is a fireworks display and then a large party. All the restaurants have parties after the celebration.
We left as soon as it was over and with the terrible traffic, I didn't get home until 12:35am!
I felt very fortunate to be able to take part in their special celebration and observe how the Mexican people celebrate their "Fourth of July"!
Hasta luego.
No comments:
Post a Comment