El Centro de la Raza Brings Music, Food, and Culture to Beacon Hill for Cinco de Mayo

by Agueda Pacheco Flores

Wind, clouds, and rain didn't stop the Latino community from gathering at Plaza Roberto Maestas this past weekend in Beacon Hill to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. And even though the event isn't a formal holiday throughout the republic of Mexico, it's still a culturally significant date.

Sixteen-year-old Ada Maris, who was helping her mother sell artisanal jewelry and milagros from Mexico, said although it's not a big holiday in her family, she loves having the opportunity of sharing the diversity of art and culture from her native Mexico.

Luna Garcia, the director of Joyas Mestizas, a folkloric children's dance troupe that was one of many performances at the event this weekend, said she loves the Cinco de Mayo event.

"Any reason to bring us together is beautiful," she said. "To be in community, have art, and food, it's always a good time."

So what is Cinco de Mayo? Well, it's never too late to learn that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day — that's Sept. 16. Cinco de Mayo, which translates to May 5 in English, was actually a battle that took place in the Mexican state of Puebla in 1862. It was preceded by a series of events including a moratorium on paying back loans to France, England, and Spain placed by Mexican President Benito Jurez.

This eventually led to a French invasion of Puebla, but the holiday and history celebrates the victor. The battle lasted one day, and the outnumbered Mexican forces held the city.

The victory is especially commemorated every year in the state of Puebla, and the legendary battle cry of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza is likely known by any good Mexican patriot. Ahead of the battle, Zaragoza looked to his men and told them, "Our enemies are the world's top soldiers; but you are all the prime sons of Mexico."

📸 Featured Image: Folklore Tonantzin dancers Isabela and Fernanda pose in their traditional dresses. (Photo: Agueda Pacheco Flores)