“The Grito de Dolores (“Cry of Dolores”) also known as El Grito de la Independencia (“Cry of Independence”), was uttered from the small town of Dolores, near Guanajuato on September 16, 1810. It is the event that marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. The “grito” was the pronouncement of the Mexican War of Independence by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Roman Catholic priest. Since October 1825, the anniversary of the event is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day.” (source )
This Saturday our family was lucky to attend a very special day of activities in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. (The day actually fell on Sunday.) As I’ve said before it is extremely important for me to educate the girls about both parts of their heritage. That is why opportunities like this are seized upon as often as they can be.
I am happy to be part of a community that celebrates the Arts and Hispanic heritage and the day we spent at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts was the best combination of those two things.
We got to check out a very cool exhibit called Sacred Visions: Masterpieces of Spanish Colonial and Mexican Religious art (from the collection of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. I love this kind of art and there were many great pieces of art to view and enjoy. The girls especially enjoyed a huge fountain which had been sent of in the middle of the exhibit space along with lots of potted plants and colorful rugs. It really gave the space a Mexican veranda feel.
What we really felt privileged to view was the El Grito Ceremony which took place in the museums meeting room. The girls had made some noise makers as part of the crafts offered and they rang them as the cozy procession took place.
Angelo State University professor John Klingemann waving Mexican flag while reciting the “grito de Dolores”
After both the National Anthem and the Himno National Mexicano were sung final thoughts were given and we enjoyed some fantastic Mariachi music.
Mariachi Alma Mexicana
(I’m including a video from the group at the end of the post in case you are interested.)
The museum also offered those who didn’t know how make tortillas a chance to learn how. Refreshments included Aquas Frescas, the fresh tortillas with honey and Mexican shortbread cookies.
It was a great outing for our family and a chance to discuss our family and what makes us proud about our heritage with our children.
A quick tutorial for fiesta inspired hair ties:
These were sewed quick specifically for our day out at the museum.
1.I cut out flowers in descending sizes from felt and scrap material.
2. I sewed these to a plain elastic ponytail holders with a couple of stitches,securing them with a know in back.
Not really a tutorial, I know, but I did think they looked pretty cute in the girl’s hair and they only took a few minutes to put together.
And now the music video I promised. 
September 21, 2012 at 2:19 am -
It is so great to have the littles appreciate their heritage like this… especially if it with great music. I love the headband, that is a great idea.
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