viva mexico 2023

On Saturday, September 16th the Emma S. Barrientos Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) threw “¡Viva Mexico!” our annual celebration of el Diez Y Seis De Septiembre, or Mexican Independence Day! This year, due to the MACC’s construction, we were in a brand-new location, the Oswaldo A.B. Cantu Pan American Park (2100 E. 3rd Street, Austin, Texas 78702). The event was FREE and open to all ages.

Read on to find out how the Caminos Class of ’24 was involved!

First, some history: What's so important about September 16th?

We know September 16th is widely celebrated as Mexican Independence Day (or if you didn't, now you do), but why? Rather than legally gaining independence on that day, September 16th marks the START of the fight, the igniting of the flame. This flame, the courage and strength of the rebels to fight for independence, began with Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

Father Hidalgo, born in Guanajuato in 1753, was an educated, spiritual man who, over the course of his career, became known for “openly challenging both church doctrine and aspects of Spanish rule by developing Mexican agriculture and industry.”

In 1803, he accepted curacy for a small parish church in Dolores, Mexico – it was here that he would later on call on his congregation and change the course of history.

Between the days of September 13th and September 16th  of 1810, Hidalgo was warned of his impending arrest, and on the morning of September 16th of that year ­— “Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla summoned the largely [Indigenous] and mestizo congregation [of Dolores], and urged them to take up arms and fight for Mexico’s independence from Spain”.

This plea, this cry for change came to be known as the Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, celebrated and recreated annually on the eve of Mexican Independence Day (September 16th) all over the world, including Austin, Texas, where “¡Viva Mexico!" is held.

While the Independence of Mexico was only marked 11 years after el Grito with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba on August 24, 1821, el Diez Y Seis marks the beginning of the revolution, and is an ode to the courageous spirit Father Hidalgo, who died July 30, 1811, in Chihuahua, and the rebels who were inspired by his words.

September 16th with the MACC

"¡Viva Mexico!" is one of the many celebrations around the world that commemorates that day, and it is a beautiful celebration of the Latine community in Austin. Every part of the event was planned with the intention of uplifting the creatives in our community and giving a safe space for elders, kids, and whole families to enjoy celebrating their culture.

Consul General Pablo Marentes gave this year's Grito de Independencia and the stage showcased major talent: Ballet Folklórico de Austin, Danza Azteca Guadalupana, Mariachi Corazon de Texas, Katelyn Perez, Los Changos from Burnet Middle School, and a youth break dance team!

To make sure everyone that wanted to attend could get there, there was a shuttle bus that went from Rudy Mendez Recreation Center at 2407 Canterbury Street to the festival, from 4-10pm.

Besides the music, there children's activities, vendors, non-profits, and food trucks. To see who was there in detail, please visit the ESB-MACC’s socials on Facebook and Instagram.

CAMINOS AT ¡VIVA!

The MACC has an Education team, a group of people who interact with the public by means of crafts, outreach, the MACC's spring/summer camps, and other educational programs throughout the year. This year, Caminos was tasked with helping that team with the “Children’s Activities” tent, guiding kids and their parents in executing the paper crown activity that the EDU Team put together for the public at "¡Viva Mexico!" More than that, they were tasked with making sure the event’s guests were having a good time, while also getting to take part in the festival themselves by enjoying everything the MACC had coordinated for the night. The Caminantes were able to flex their interpersonal skills, get to know one another and the MACC team, and be an integral part of a beautiful moment for the Latine community in Austin.

P.S. The MACC still has some Caminantes (graduates from classes of 2018-2021) employed in different departments of the team and are always getting to know new classes. Caminos offers room for career growth in many ways, from working for the City of Austin, to working with our partners at ACCC, to working with the artists we get to collaborate with throughout the year, the possibility for different opportunities are endless!

Thanks for reading!

For more information, visit the links below:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Miguel-Hidalgo-y-Costilla 

• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mexican-Independence-Day 

• https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/september-16/ 

• Viva Mexico celebration at Mexican-American Cultural Center | FOX 7 Austin https://youtu.be/ci5PCtqLhKo?si=exSFdO1zdSEPfBPF 

• Mexican president's first 'El Grito' kicks off Independence Day celebrations | AF https://youtu.be/8hIPsHUiadM?si=WPHBmS2v9Wkxdiep