Mexican Independence Day Celebration Centennial Peace Plaza Cleveland Cultural Gardens September 16, 2023
The Mexican Committee of Cleveland (Comite Mexicano de Cleveland) is an organization dedicated to promoting art, culture, and community services for Mexican residents in the Cleveland metropolitan area and Northeast Ohio. They hosted a celebration of Mexican Independence on September 16, 2023 at the Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.
The group is working on a Mexican Garden in the historic chain of Cleveland Cultural Gardens.
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Rey and Patty Esparza of Comite Mexicano de Cleveland
Among their annual events is a celebration of September 16, Mexican Independence Day. Before the festivities began Rey Esparza, president of the Comite Mexicano de Cleveland, spoke with Dan Hanson about the importance of September 16, the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) and some of the confusion about Cinco de Mayo.
The Consul of Mexico in Detroit Roberto Nicolas Vazquez spoke about the occasion.
Consul of Mexico in Detroit Roberto Nicolas Vazquez
He then joined Jesús Agüero in the singing of the Mexican National Anthem. Many in the audience put their hands across their chest during the national anthem. This gesture is known as the saludo a la bandera, which means 'salute to the flag' in English.
President Rey Esparza called up people for a Gritos contest. A gritos is a loud expression - a laugh, a scream, a yell… A young girl won the audience vote.
There was a variety of entertainment. Jesús Agüero led off his set with this popular song.
Jesús Agüero
Another performer was Ruby Sanz who began her set with this popular song.
Ruby Sanz
A highlight of the evening was this traditional Aztec dance performance, led by talented artists who took the audience on a journey through ancient Mexican traditions. Additionally, the Folklorico Dancers were part of the celebration, providing an impressive display of Mexican folk dances.
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