Fiestas of Mexico
Fiestas are an essential part of the Mexican culture. It seems that every day there is a Fiesta somewhere in Mexico. The fact that Mexico has so many different holidays and regional festivals offers the opportunity to sample Mexican celebrations throughout the entire year.
Fiestas Patrias is a Spanish phrase meaning "Patriotic Holidays".
The Fiestas Patrias in Mexico originated in the 19th century. They are observed today as public holidays.
Fiestas in chronological order:
descriptions from wikipedia
Aniversario de la Constitución (Constitution Day) commemorates the Constitution of 1917, promulgated after the Mexican Civil War on February 5.Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birth of Benito Juárez) commemorates President Benito Juárez's birthday on March 21, 1806. Juárez is popularly regarded as an exemplary politician due to his liberal policies that, among other things, defined the traditionally strict separation of the church and the Mexican state.
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day) commemorates the Mexican workers' union movements on May 1 - specifically, the 1906 Cananea, Sonora, and the 1907 Río Blanco, Veracruz, labor unrest and repression.
Grito de Dolores (on the evening of September 15th) and Aniversario de la Independencia (September 16th) commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's Grito de Dolores - on September 16, 1810, in the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. On October 18, 1825, the Republic of Mexico officially declared September 16th its national Independence Day.
Aniversario de la Revolución commemorates the Mexican Revolution which started on November 20, 1910 when Francisco I. Madero planned an uprising against dictator Porfirio Díaz's 34-year-long iron rule. Although November 20 is the official day, the uprising started on different days in different parts of the country.
Cinco de mayo is not an important national holiday in Mexico. That distinction is reserved for Dieciséis de septiembre, which is celebrated from the evening of September 15 with a re-creation of the Grito de Dolores by all executive office-holders (from the President of the Republic down to municipal presidents) and lasts through the night. In contrast, Cinco de mayo is observed mostly at a local level (Puebla State) and is a minor Bank Holiday in the rest of Mexico.
Fiesta!
Here's a counting and vocabulary book that, in a refreshing twist, teaches in English and Spanish. In a south-of-the-border setting, a group of children make their way around a village gathering items for a party ("fiesta"). From "Una canasta/ One basket" to "Cinco trompos/ Five tops" and "Diez serpentinas/ Ten streamers," the correct number of objects can be counted in each picture, while the text on the facing page asks, "Que mas?/ What else?" The familiar, limited number of items and vocabulary words makes it all the more likely that children will absorb the language and counting lessons, although the absence of a pronunciation guide may hamper some would-be polyglots. Moreno's (The Pocket Book) pastel, watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations afford an idyllic, soft-lensed view of frolicking children, kindly merchants and such atmospheric elements as mariachis and an open-air market. The pictures also add a story to the counting/vocabulary class: all the objects go into the creation of a pinata, which explodes ("!Pau!/ Crack!") in a jubilant party scene at the end. !Ole! Ages 5-up.
Fiesta!
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Sesame Street - Fiesta!
Fiesta means party in Spanish, and Sesame Street is pulsating with activity in this upbeat preschool program featuring Latino songs. Jim Henson's Muppets join the fun while everyone's favorite, Elmo, learns the Conga- Wiggle dance. Maria, Rosita, and Gabi create floats and costumes; even Oscar reluctantly partakes in the festivities. The dialogue is sparse in order to devote most of the 30-minute show to singing and dancing during eight Spanish/English tunes, featuring special performances by Linda Ronstadt and Celia Cruz. Most of the music will be familiar, such as "Conga Counting Song," "Amigo," and "It Sure Is Hot." Kids will also learn greetings, familiar words, and numbers in Spanish. While some might wish for the addition of live-action scenes of Mexico or a more complex story line, the bilingual focus is solid and the ever supportive cast of Sesame Street grownups, kids, and Muppets make it a neighborhood worth visiting.
Sesame Street - Fiesta!
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Fiesta
A musical comedy with lots of music. It takes place on a Mexican ranch owned by Don Hernandez (Antonio Moreno), whose niece Cholita (Anne Ayers) is returning home from Mexico City. She is to marry her childhood sweetheart, local caballero Jose (George Negrete). However, Cholita arrives with a new fiance. Jose schemes to frighten Fernando off the ranch back to Mexico City and win back Cholita.
Fiesta (1941)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
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