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Guadalajara International Mariachi and Charro Festival

More than 2,000,000 will Enjoy Mariachis and Charros from Around the World

There will be no mistaking the sounds resonating from major theaters and concert venues in Guadalajara this September, as the International Mariachi and Charro Festival returns with a more promising lineup of performing artists than ever before.

Considered Guadalajara's most important cultural event of the year, this annual festival captures the essence of the city's two most defining characteristics: mariachis and charros, or Mexican cowboys.  Now in its 11th year, the festival boasts a series of gala dinners, rodeo shows, outdoor concerts, music workshops and arts and crafts exhibits, featuring some of the biggest and most respected names in the industry.

The 10-day celebration kicks off on September 2, 2004 with a gala dinner, followed by an elaborate inaugural parade on September 4, where more than 50 mariachi groups will exhibit their flair as they march through the streets of Guadalajara.  More than 2,000,000 spectators will enjoy the guitar-strumming and violin-striking of mariachis hailing from countries as far as Japan, Croatia and Italy.  

Mariachi music is an expressive outlet to celebrate both the great moments and heartbreaking incidents in one's life - - from weddings and birthdays, to funerals and revolutionary holidays, it is truly an art form, a way of life and a form of prestige for the Mexican people.  

"Though the magnitude of the word 'mariachi' has spread to an international level, the word mariachi itself is unique to the city of Guadalajara," said event coordinator Francisco Jara.  "Musicians from around the world come to this event to see where it all started, to enjoy the sounds of some of the best mariachi groups around."

Outlets such as film, radio and even the Internet have introduced mariachi music to more than 40 countries from Europe to Asia to Latin America, in essence, globalizing this timeless Mexican tradition.  Nonetheless, all foreign mariachi groups that come to this notorious festival sing in Spanish and use traditional instruments.

"Sometimes the artists don't really even know what they're saying," Jara explained.  "But for these international musicians, the emotion conveyed is enough…songs need no translation."

The festival's most memorable spectacle is indisputably the outdoor gala celebration, where the world-renowned mariachi groups Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan (formed more than 100 years ago), Mariachi de America and Los Camperos de Nati Cano will perform in unison with the Philharmonic Orchestra.  The venue alone is enough to leave one in awe, for the Degollado Theater's ornate structure overlooks the esplanade of the Plaza de la Liberacion, surrounded by important establishments that form part of Guadalajara's rich cultural history.

For most, a large part of the enticement of attending this festival lays in the opportunities to interact with such famed bands.  Drawn by their love for Mexican music, professionals and aspiring youth groups alike have the chance to attend music workshops, where they will get hands-on training to expand their repertoires and polish techniques.  

New to this year's festival is a special presentation in which the International Mariachi and Charro Festival takes a step back in time with highlights from the past ten years.  According to Jara, Mariachi legends Alejandro Fernandez and Guadalupe Piñeda have been invited to share their inspirational themes with thousands of spectators.

Also included in this year's program is the sixth edition of the National Charro Championship, where last year's champion will join 14 of the nation's most prestigious competitors in a rodeo show at the Lienzo Charro "Santa Maria" Lagos de Moreno.  

The origins of mariachi music have been the subject of historical debate among musicologists and folklorists alike.  At one time, the word Mariachi was connected to the variation of the French word mariage, or marriage, the celebration with which mariachis were most commonly associated.  Currently, theories relate the term Mariachi to the indigenous name of the Pilla or Cirimo trees, whose wood is used to make guitars.  

Regardless of the origin, the tradition of Mariachi music dates back to the nineteenth century in the town of Cocula, Jalisco, roughly 30 miles from Guadalajara.  The complete mariachi group includes standard European instruments including six to eight violins, two trumpets and a guitar.  However, the truly unique and awe-inspiring sounds of mariachi music come from the high-pitched, round-backed guitar called the vihuela; a deep-voiced guitar called the guitarron, providing the bass of the ensemble; and a Mexican folk harp, adorning the melody while doubling the base line.  

The typical mariachi ensemble will be found wearing vividly colored, custom-embroidered charro suits, consisting of a waist-length jacket and vest, a tie, and snugly-tailored wool pants - all elements extravagantly trimmed with oversized silver buttons.  The large-brimmed sombrero completes this elaborate costume, with the best hats made from wool or rabbit hair felt.

Charrería, the national sport of Mexico and a precursor of the North American rodeo, is deeply rooted in the culture and history of Guadalajara, with origins leading back to the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.  Charros, or Mexican cowboys, modified the equestrian contests of the Spaniards to produce a distinctively Mexican sport, and by the 19th century, these contests had become essential to celebrations on large haciendas.  The charro, who established the customs, dress, music and equestrian abilities later adapted by the American cowboy, dresses in traditional costume, consisting of intricate suits with colors ranging from black for the most formal celebrations, to tan for more casual occasions and competitions. The charro's strict code of honor includes chivalry, high ethics and a dedication to family and charro traditions.  

For more information, contact Francisco Jara at (011-52) 333-880-9070 or visit the International Mariachi and Charro Festival website at www.mariachi-jalisco.com.mx. 

About the Mexico Tourism Board

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America.

Edited by Marilyn Miller

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