Yucatecans Unite in Peaceful 214th Independence Celebration

"Long live national Independence! Long live Yucatan! Long live Yucatecan society and unity! Long live national sovereignty! Long live Mexico!" These were the words of María Fritz Sierra, the official in charge of the Governor's Office, as she led the traditional Grito celebration for the 214th anniversary of the start of Mexico's independence movement. Over 55,000 Yucatecans gathered at the Government Palace and the Plaza Grande, which had been refurbished for the occasion.

Waving the national flag and ringing the bell, Fritz Sierra recalled the events of September 16th, 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called the people to begin the struggle for independence. She also honored the heroes of the independence movement, including Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, José María Morelos y Pavón, Leona Vicario, Vicente Guerrero, and Nicolás Bravo. The crowd responded in unison with cheers of "Long live!"

Before the cheers, José Carlos Puerto Patrón, the official in charge of the General Secretariat of the Government, read the Act of Independence. The ceremony also included the singing of the Mexican and Yucatecan national anthems, the latter of which had recently been updated to better represent the culture, values, traditions, and history of the region. The new lyrics were written by composer Luis Perez Sabido, while the original music by José Jacinto Cuevas was preserved.

Following the formal ceremony, a fireworks display lit up the sky over the Yucatecan capital. The musical band Calibre 50 from Sinaloa then entertained the crowd with a selection of their hits. The evening was filled with patriotic fervor and civic pride as the attendees celebrated another anniversary of the start of the struggle for independence.

The celebration, which was attended by families from different parts of the city and state as well as visitors to the Yucatecan capital, was conducted with total order, calm, and peace. Many attendees arrived early to participate in the festivities, which help to strengthen national identity. Some wore regional attire, painted their faces, and donned hats and horns.