Festivities commence in Oaxaca with artistic presentations and the new tradition of 'Monday on the Hill' during Guelaguetza celebrations
**Oaxaca's Guelaguetza Festival Dedicates Proceeds to Hurricane Recovery**
The vibrant Guelaguetza festival, a celebration of Oaxacan culture deeply rooted in its Indigenous heritage, is taking on a new and significant role this year. Due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Erick on the state, the Oaxaca government has announced that all profits from the Guelaguetza festival will contribute to the reconstruction of affected regions.
The Guelaguetza festival, which originated from the Zapotec ritual Daninayaaloani honoring Centéotl, the corn goddess, later transformed into a Catholic celebration honoring the Virgin of Carmen after the Spanish conquest [1][3]. This year's edition, the 92nd, is a week-long event showcasing traditional dance, music, and folklore from Oaxaca's eight cultural regions [5].
In addition to the expected profits from Guelaguetza, the state government will also redirect profits from Oaxaca's Mezcal Fair, which takes place from July 18-29 [2]. A Guelaguetza fund has been created, with all ticket sales from the festival's two Mondays on the Hill being redirected to hurricane clean-up efforts [2].
The Guelaguetza festival kicked off on July 21 and will run until July 28. The first Lunes del Cerro performance took place on Monday, July 21, at the Guelaguetza Auditorium [4]. Each performance at Lunes del Cerro is followed by the offering of regional handicrafts, fruits, ceramics, and other local products by Indigenous communities [6].
The festival is expected to attract 139,000 tourists throughout July [7]. Celebrations for La Guelaguetza will extend beyond the official festival dates, including food fairs, parades, musical concerts, dance performances, and visual arts exhibitions [8]. Some of the best places to enjoy the festivities include Zimatlán, Teotitlán del Valle, and Cuilapam de Guerrero [9].
The second Monday of the Guelaguetza festival will take place on July 28 [10]. The festival's focus on community and reciprocity aligns with its new role in supporting the state's recovery from natural disasters.
The reports in this article originate from El Universal Oaxaca.
[1] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-la-historia-del-festival-de-la-oaxaca [2] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-salomon-jara-se-aprovecha-del-festival-para-ayudar-a-la-reconstruccion-de-oaxaca [3] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-la-historia-del-festival-de-la-oaxaca [4] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/20/guelaguetza-2021-el-primer-lunes-del-cerro-de-la-guelaguetza-se-realizo-hoy [5] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-la-historia-del-festival-de-la-oaxaca [6] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-la-historia-del-festival-de-la-oaxaca [7] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-salomon-jara-se-aprovecha-del-festival-para-ayudar-a-la-reconstruccion-de-oaxaca [8] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-la-historia-del-festival-de-la-oaxaca [9] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-la-historia-del-festival-de-la-oaxaca [10] https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/oaxaca/2021/07/19/guelaguetza-2021-la-historia-del-festival-de-la-oaxaca
- The Guelaguetza festival, a significant cultural event in Oaxaca, has taken on an important new role this year by dedicating its profits to the recovery efforts of regions affected by Hurricane Erick.
- Aside from the earnings from the Guelaguetza festival, profits from Oaxaca's Mezcal Fair will also be utilized for the hurricane recovery, as announced by the state government.
- The Guelaguetza festival encompasses more than just performances; it also features local products and handicrafts from Indigenous communities during the Lunes del Cerro.
- The news reported from El Universal Oaxaca also mentions that celebrations for La Guelaguetza will extend beyond its official dates, covering food fairs, parades, and lifestyle events, offering a glimpse into the region's culture, politics, and home-and-garden practices.
