In ancient Mexican land, the main religion today is Catholicism. But before the first conquistadors entered this land, their existing beliefs and traditions already existed here. Today, the culture of Mexico is a fusion of the traditions of Christian and folk culture, this explains the great variety of celebrated holidays in Mexico.
Mexicans fought hard for an independent state, therefore, with great patriotic enthusiasm and enthusiasm, they celebrate numerous dates associated with the struggle for freedom.
National holidays of Mexico are divided into state, national, Christian. All events are celebrated on a large scale, it seems that the Mexicans are happy for any occasion to take to the streets and throw out their irrepressible energy in communication, dancing and carnivals.
List of Holidays in Mexico
Public holidays include the New Year. Constitution Day is celebrated on the first Monday of February. Mexican Army Day - February 19th. Flag Day - February 2.
March 21 honors the memory of Benito Juarez, who made a great contribution to the struggle for independence.
In Mexico, Labor Day is celebrated (May 1), and then, May 5 - the National Day of Mexico in honor of the victory of the Mexican troops in the Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862).
September 16 - Independence Day in honor of the beginning of the war of liberation, on this day I recall the "Creek Dolores", Grito de Dolores. The priest of a small church signaled the bell to start the struggle for the liberation of the country. Each year, during the celebration, the president strikes the bell, which is now in Mexico City.
Columbus Day is widely celebrated (October 12), and November 23 is Navy Day.
November 20 is celebrated as the 1910 Revolution Day. Patriotic holidays in honor of various achievements in the struggle for freedom do not bore the locals in any way, are celebrated with military parades, fireworks and dances.
Flag national holiday
National Flag Day of Mexico has been in its present form since November 16, 1937. A memorial day was established under the President of Mexico, General Lazaro Cardenas. The canvas of the flag is divided into three equal in width stripes of green, white and red, and in the center it is decorated with the figure of an eagle sitting on a cactus with a snake caught.
The appearance of the drawing is associated with an ancient legend, which dates back to the time of choosing the land for the Aztec settlement. They should have stopped where, according to the ancients' prediction, they will see an eagle on top of a mountain on a cactus with a snake. In that place it was necessary to build a temple, so they did.
The country respects the state flag. On a feast in Mexico, special celebrations are held every year in February. Flags are hung out at state institutions and residential buildings, and they distribute small flags to children.
Cinco de mayo
May 5 is Mexico Independence Day. Victory Day at Pueblo is called the national Mexican holiday in honor of the battle that regained independence from the three-year regime of Napoleon III.
He was overthrown on May 5, 1862, when 4,000 Mexican soldiers opposed the French army. At the scene of the battle there is now a park, in the center of which stands a monument to General Ignacio in Zaragoza.
This holiday in Mexico is another occasion for Mexicans to organize festivals and carnivals with national music and dancing, ubiquitous treats with Mexican cuisine, and to show their patriotic feelings and love for their native country.
Day of love and lovers
Valentine's Day in Mexico, in which everyone breathes love, is celebrated violently and by all. If kissing in public places is not allowed, then a holiday of simultaneous kissing is held on the main square on a holiday, and bans on the streets are very few. Thousands of couples in love gather to participate in this event. Restaurants are crowded everywhere. Everywhere the word "amor" sounds: it is in the air, glows in the eyes, and gives Mexican life a special meaning and charm.
Those who are lucky enough to visit the Lane of Kisses in the town of Guanajuato on this day are guaranteed luck in cupid affairs for 7 years.
The government freed the couple on February 14 from paying the state duty when registering marriage, thousands of couples conduct collective weddings in parks and city squares. According to statistics, in some towns more than half of marriages are made of the annual number of spouses.
Since ancient times, the tradition has come to sing under the window of a serenade. So, on Valentine's Day, musicians do not sit without work, they are hired to please their chosen ones, of course, dances are arranged everywhere and they offer refreshments. Balloons with romantic wishes come out into the sky.
Days of children and their parents
In Mexico, they love children very much, so Children's Day (April 30) is celebrated wholeheartedly. Children prepare gifts, concerts and performances. Mother's Day is also celebrated in mid-May, and in June, Father's Day.
The day of the Dead
When is Mexico celebrating the day of the dead? On November 1 and 2, sacred holidays are held in Mexico in commemoration of those who have gone to another world. These days, religious rites are closely intertwined with ancient beliefs. The tradition came from the Mayans and the Aztecs. Like many ancient holidays, they coincide with the Christian All Saints Day. In honor of those who left in the houses altars are made of sugar skulls. They bring to them the favorite foods and drinks of the commemorated, and also with these gifts go to the cemetery.
Mexicans believe that the souls of the departed visit them on these holidays and use all the gifts that they sometimes prepare for them for a whole year. It is possible that invisibly arrived relatives will be pleased with tequila, beer and other alcoholic drinks. These traditions have existed for several thousand years.
Mexicans sincerely meet their loved ones, decorate the house, take out photographs, bring flowers and crosses to the city squares and streets, light candles, turn these days into a celebration of life, meeting again for a brief moment with the departed.
The Mexican holiday of the dead was organically joined by Halloween, which is celebrated on October 31.
Christian holidays
November 22 is the day of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians (revered in Europe). Monasteries and abbeys, centers of sacred music are named after her. On this day, congratulate Mexican mariachi.
In the morning, divine services and processions are held to commemorate Saint Cecilia. In the evenings, stunning concerts take place all over the country. He loves Mexican music all over the world. The violin, guitar, percussion instruments, flute, guitarron in the hands of mariachi gain a magical sound. They put their hearts into music, it tells about times of trials and eternal love, longing for past times and hopes for the future.
December 12 is the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The first appearance of the Virgin Mary on the top of Tepeyak Hill is celebrated.
In honor of the Virgin they build altars of flowers, pray in the morning in the church, and then the festival of music and dance begins.
Soon there comes the largest Christian holiday, Christmas, which is celebrated on the Catholic calendar on December 25. Fish dishes are served at the Christmas dinner, biblical performances are held in honor of the holiday, everyone gives gifts to each other, and costume parades are held.
Christmas ends with the celebration of the Day of Innocent Babies (December 28), it is celebrated with fun like the one that takes place in Russia on April 1.
The annual cycle of holidays begins with Epiphany Day on January 6. A wonderful event is noted when the magi saw a star in heaven and informed that the Savior had come to the world. Christian holidays, such as Easter and others, are celebrated on the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.
Spring carnival
In Mexico, a week before the beginning of Lent, a carnival is held, which is considered the third largest in the world.
Mexicans have been preparing for it for a year, all areas of the cities are responsible for the processions that they will represent. Residents sew costumes, rehearse dances, then to jointly arrange a grand celebration. Many tourists specifically buy tours to have fun and become a party to the festivities.