Carlos Chavez, portraying Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, rang a yellow bell Saturday before launching into an impassioned speech known as “El Grito de Dolores,” the symbolic beginning of Mexico’s war of independence nearly 212 years ago.
“The moment of our emancipation has arrived,” Chavez shouted Sunday from a stage at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin. “Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Viva Mexico!”
“Viva!” the crowd shouted back.
The reenactment of that famous event on Sept. 16, 1810, coincided with Mexican Independence Day events that started over the weekend and will continue through Sept. 16, with parades, motorcades, flags and festivals being held throughout the Fox Valley and Chicago areas.
Sept. 16 is a holiday in Mexico and celebrated in the U.S. by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.
The library’s party, held in partnership with the Mexican Organization of Elgin, included folk dances, crafts and music and served as the kickoff for its Hispanic Heritage Month programs and events.
Grupo De Danza Folklorica Quetzaly performed dances from different regions of Mexico, and will be performing quite a bit because of Independence Day and heritage month celebrations, said Erika Gasca, one of the group’s leaders.
“Every performance is unique for us, but performances this month have a special meaning,” she said.
El Grito is part of those celebrations. Hidalgo, a parish priest in the city of Dolores, Guanajuato, called for Mexico’s revolt against Spain, said Raul Castillo, a School District U-46 teacher who explained the tradition’s origin during the library event. The Virgen de Guadalupe became a symbol for freedom fighters.
The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez conquered the Aztecs and colonized Mexico, Castillo said. Spanish rule lasted 300 years until Hidalgo’s cry for independence, triggering a war that lasted 10 years, he said.
The library has several events scheduled for the month-long celebration, including:
Ofrenda Exhibit for Día de los Muertos will be on display from Oct. 26 to Nov. 9 at the main library, 270 N. Grove Ave. Community members are invited to participate in the Day of the Dead exhibit by emailing a digital photo of a loved one they want remembered to pradgbpl@gmail.com. A name and phone number should be included. The deadline is Oct. 12.
“Celebrating the History of Hispanics in Our Community” is an exhibit that will be on display from now until Oct. 15 at the main library. It explores the influence that Elgin’s Hispanic community has had on the city’s culture, including music, food, education, religion and family.
A traditional Mexican game will be played during “Family Night of Lotería!” It starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at the main library. Register to attend by going online at gailborden.info/register, calling 847-429-4597 or visiting the library.
“Voces Latinas: Yes, We Can, How Latinos Remade Elgin and the Region” will chronicle how a growing Latino population has reshaped Elgin over the past 50 years. Elgin Community College professor Antonio Ramirez will share stories from the city’s Latino community at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at the main library and via Facebook at gbpl.info/FBLV. To register, go to gailborden.info/register, call 847-429-4597 or visit the library.
“Open Books, Open Hearts,” a festive celebration, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the main library. Local Latino authors will be part of the library’s first Hispanic Heritage Month book fair. Those who attend can participate in a drawing to win a book basket.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
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