El grito de Dolores (The cry of Dolores) marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. It was priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla who gave the call. Each year on this day, September 15, the cry is reenacted all over Mexico in small pueblos and pulsating large cities.
Of course the capital hosts the largest event of all and at around 11pm tonight President Peña Nieto will offer the cry to a frenzied mass of hundreds of thousands from the balcony of the National Palace overlooking Constitution Square (el zocalo).
That is still a few hours away but the fever of the occasion is already in the air. In fact it has been for quite a few days. Street hawkers are selling all manner of verde, blanco y rojo (green, white and red) patriotic paraphernalia. In the late afternoon I grabbed my camera and went for a roam.
patriotic hawkers
one of the ubiquitous patriotic street corner pop-ups
security is tight at el zocalo
even Cauhtemoc is dressed up for the occasion
I found army general Augustín de Iturbide
first half of what will be heard umpteen times tonight “VIVA”
the sun at the centre of it all
It’s already too much for some
Peña Nieto will give the cry from here
Miguel Hidalgo and friends in front of cathedral
Mexican tri-coloured mop
never too old to join in the fervour
orgullo por la bandera – pride in the flag
organillero – grinding for mexico
trumpeting for Mexico
the eagle has landed
inflated pride
revolutionary zeal
I ducked on to a side alley to listen to this duo – la calle mata
Bank of Mexico and Palace of Fine Arts
I ran into Miguel Hidalgo and his youthful banda (crew)
will undoubtedly be a big night for Miguel
toothpaste in any color you like, as long as it’s green, white and red
keeping the peace
lone street dog representing his millions of compatriots
Nice post Peter! I love your photo captions! I trust you’re wearing one of those red, white, and blue wigs in celebration? 😉
Cheers! This year I am remaining wig free..
Love these photos. We had a very subdued celebration here in the UK, I cooked a small pozole in our house but I’d love to be in Mexico to see all this for myself one day!
Hey! Thanks for your comment. Pozole sounds good. This year it was tostadas and quesadillas de tinge de pollo for me. Definitely worth checking out the independence celebrations here in DF or elsewhere in Mexico. Saludos..