‘Fiesta Mexicana 2024’ unites Vancouver’s mexican community for Independence Day
Participants enjoyed a day of celebration featuring traditional food and vibrant performances
People gathered in Vancouver's South Hall Banquet and Wedding Palace for "Fiesta Mexicana 2024" on Sept. 15. (Vianney Aguirre Mora)
On Sept. 15, “Fiesta Mexicana 2024,” organized by the non-profit Comunidad Mexicana en Vancouver Services Society (CMVSS), was held at Vancouver’s South Hall Banquet and Wedding Palace to unite the Mexican community and celebrate the 214th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Every Sept.16, Mexicans gather in the streets to parade and celebrate another year of independence, decorating their houses with papier-mâché, throwing parties with traditional foods, and singing patriotic songs.
However, for patriots abroad, it isn’t easy to celebrate and express their identity in the same way. That’s why for 25 years, CMVSS has sought to bring the Mexican diaspora this spirit of celebration.
“The purpose of this event is to unite as a community and celebrate our independence because this is a little piece of Mexico, we want everyone to feel united and safe in one place for this celebration, while we contribute as new Canadians to this country,” says Maria Jesus Romo, director of the organization.
The cry for freedom marked the beginning of struggle for Mexico’s independence, when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest from Dolores Hidalgo known as the father of the nation, called on the people in 1810 to fight against the Spanish, who had controlled the Indigenous regions for more than 300 years.
Today, the nation’s president commemorates this historical event by re-enacting the night of Sept. 16 214 years ago, while the public celebrates with shouts of independence. Vancouver was no exception — the ceremony was made official by the Consul General of Mexico in the city, Olga Beatriz García Guillén.
“The greatest pride you can have as a Mexican is to represent the country in front of so many people, and such an important event as [this one]. It is the first time I have done it in front of so many people and I feel very emotional. I hope everyone here feels united and feels Mexico in their hearts,” García Guillén says.
The event also highlighted Mexican cuisine with eight restaurants offering a variety of food and traditional sweets from the country. Attendees could also watch lucha libre wrestling, a style of professional wrestling that originated in Mexico.
Various musical groups participated in the event, providing songs for attendees to dance and sing to, celebrating Mexican pride.
“The event is wonderful because I feel like I am back in Mexico again as I connect with my people while preserving the culture and passing it on to our children,” says Mary Blanca Villa, who has lived in Vancouver for 11 years.
“Life is a celebration, and we know that in Mexico, but here it is different — the weather, the culture, and the family. Yes, there are good things, but I miss the culture.”
To learn more about CMVSS’s work, visit their official website http://comunidadmexicana.ca/.
