Cozumel Pushes for UNESCO Recognition of El Cedral Festival

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — The mayor of Cozumel, José Luis Chacón Méndez, announced that the El Cedral Festival, which opened this weekend, represents a historic opportunity to advance the process of gaining UNESCO recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. He noted that applications have already been submitted and that efforts will continue, as the festival is a 178-year-old tradition considered the oldest traditional celebration in Quintana Roo.

Chacón emphasized that the municipal government is working jointly with the Villa Cozumel ejido, which owns the land where the festival takes place. He said institutional support is guaranteed to ensure the celebration proceeds with a cultural and religious focus, respecting the forms that the community has preserved for generations.

The El Cedral Festival, which combines religious, artistic, and social activities, has become a symbol of identity for Cozumel residents. Its significance extends beyond the local level, as it is one of the oldest expressions in the state and a benchmark for community coexistence that strengthens the island’s social fabric.

In parallel, Cozumel’s designation as a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) has helped boost tourism and cultural promotion. The brand has become a tool to project the island’s historical and natural wealth, linking events like El Cedral with national and international outreach strategies.

Mayor Chacón stressed that the municipal government’s support aims to ensure future generations keep this tradition alive, while working toward UNESCO recognition of its universal value.

“El Cedral is more than a festival; it is part of our history and what defines us as a community,” he said.