Monday, February 10, 2025

Oaxaca’s Guelaguetza goes virtual with live transmissions this year

For the second year in a row, Oaxaca’s Guelaguetza festival will not be held celebrated in-person. Rather, the ethnic heritage festival will be broadcast live on television and social media.

The festival celebrates the traditions of the indigenous people of Oaxaca, showcasing traditional garments, dances, music and food. The event normally draws tourists from around the world.

Last year, the event was broadcast in the form of edited highlights of previous events. This year will feature live transmissions for the first time, allowing participating delegations to present their dances without leaving their hometowns.

The festival programming, which runs throughout the month of July, also includes an exhibition of 50 Oaxacan paintings in an event called “Brushstrokes of Tradition.” One of the participating pieces will be selected as the official image of Guelaguetza 2021.

Despite the lack of an in-person festival, Oaxaca still expects many visitors this summer. Juan Carlos Rivera, state director of tourism, said that just in the period from August 9 to August 29, the state expects 325,000 tourists in its primary destinations. The visitors are expected to bring 1.4 billion pesos (US $70.4 million) in economic revenue.

Rivera also said that health safety measures will continue to be in effect, including social distancing and use of face masks.

“We want to reaffirm the greatness of life, to be present to celebrate Oaxaca and confront the pandemic with our heads held high,” Oaxaca Governor Alejandro Murat said.

With reports from El Universal and Vive Oaxaca

A crowd of migrants with backpacks wait in front of a wall reading "INM Secretaría de Gobernación," representing the reason why Mexico had to increase the INM budget

Immigration agency sees nearly 500% budget increase in preparation for Trump deportees

0
The government's immigration institute has had its budget quintupled as it prepares for a wave of deportees from the U.S.
A memorial at the site of the fatal bus crash in Campeche.

Bus accident in Campeche kills 41

0
Officials from the neighboring state of Tabasco said recovery work is continuing, including efforts to identify those killed in the crash.
México state authorities close a barbershop in an anti-crime raid

Anti-crime sweep shutters over 300 barbershops in México state

0
Hundreds of hair stylists marched in protest in the capital on Monday, alleging that security agents planted drugs in their establishments to justify the closures.