"El Grito"

(image from the web)

In my previous post I wrote about the celebration held each year on September 15, the eve of Mexico's Independence Day.   The President appears on the balcony of the National Palace and gives "el Grito"... the "Cry of Independence".

I found a video on YouTube of the live TV coverage of this year's event. Of course it is all in Spanish, but even if you don't understand the language, it will give you an idea of what the "Grito" is all about.  Click on the link below.

The celebration began Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM on Mexico City's main plaza, the Zócalo, with performances by numerous musical groups.  It wasn't until 11:00 PM that the President gives the "Grito".  In the video you will see President Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife, former soap opera actress Angélica Rivera.   Peña Nieto, who will finish his six year term next year, is the most unpopular President in recent memory, with an abysmal approval rating of 12%.  But I'll try to abstain from political discussion here.

The video begins with the President and First Lady in the National Palace.  It is an almost comical scene as they pass through one room after another with the doors of each hall closing behind them.  Finally they reach a reception hall overlooking the Zócalo.  Here, in a rigidly choreographed ceremony, the President receives the Mexican flag from a group of female cadets from the National Naval Academy.  He goes out onto the balcony, flag in hand, and rings the bell which was rung to begin Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain. Then he recites the "Grito".  It is not the call to arms that was proclaimed by Father Hidalgo in the early morning hours of September 16th, 1810.  Indeed, if he were to reenact the words of Father Hidalgo, he would probably be met with guffaws and catcalls when he would get to "Death to bad government!"  Instead, he lists the heroes of the War for Independence...  "Long live Hidalgo!", "Long live Morelos!", etc. etc.   He interjected, "Long live the solidarity of the Mexicans with Oaxaca and Chiapas (the states ravaged by the recent earthquake)", and concludes with  "¡Viva México!"  He rings the bell again (the Cathedral bells are now chiming in too), and waves the flag.  The national anthem is then played by a military band.

There are some good shots of the Zócalo, jammed with thousands of people.  You can see the holiday lights decorating the square and the illuminated Cathedral.  When the camera shows close-ups of the crowd they do not seem wildly enthusiastic about seeing their "Presidente".

Enjoy the video!

Click here... 

Grito de Independencia 2017