Organ Grinders' Festival

One of the typical sounds of Mexico City is the music of the organ grinders.  The organ grinders are found throughout the city on busy streets where the passersby might throw a coin in their hat.  I will give them a coin when are really concentrating on their music rather constantly halting to call out for money.

Last weekend, when we were downtown, we were passing through the Alameda Park when we heard the music of the barrel organ.  (I always called their instrument a hurdy gurdy, but I found out that is incorrect.  A hurdy gurdy is a smaller hand-held instrument.)  The music was coming from a tent set up in the park, and we had stumbled upon the 2nd Annual Organ Grinders' Festival.

A number of organ grinders were lined up outside the tent. 

There were a number of musicians who had Chilean flags on their barrel organs.  I later found out that seven organ grinders from Chile had traveled to Mexico for the festival.  

In fact, when we arrived a lady from Chile was about to play.  She was interviewed first, and talked about the difference between Mexican organ grinders ("organilleros") and those in Chile ("chinchineros").  The "chinchineros" do not ask for coin from those passing by.  They use their music to attract customers to buy candy from them.

Next there was a group of Mexican organ grinders who in their spare time had formed a folkloric dance group.  They did a couple of numbers (accompanied by barrel organ, of course) to bring the day's activities to a conclusion.

You never know what you will discover as you walk the streets of Mexico City.