The commemoration of the 204th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence will be held at Penn's Landing with the traditional “Grito” ceremony and new celebrations for the whole family.

"This will be the fifth time I have the honor and privilege of leading the ceremony at Penn's Landing. We will also have the opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mexican Cultural Center (MCC),” said Carlos Giralt-Cabrales, consul of Mexico in Philadelphia.

The free festival will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14 beginning at 1 p.m. In addition to Mexican artists and musicians, several restaurants in the region will compete for the title of the "Best taco in Philadelphia."

The consul extended an invitation to all city residents to experience the most traditional part of the Mexican Independence celebration: “El Grito.”
This part of the civic event alludes to “El Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Dolores) by priest Miguel Hidalgo, who is credited as the father of Mexican Independence. He rang the church bell in Dolores to call his parishioners to an announcement of revolution against the Spanish. Consul Giralt-Cabrales will once again take center stage with the Mexican flag to passionately cry Viva Mexico!

"Every opportunity I have to be in front of my community is different, but equally rewarding. Nothing gives us more pleasure than sharing this important date with other communities", Giralt-Cabrales said. The celebration will conclude with an after-party from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Spruce Street Harbor Park, where the public will be able to enjoy live mariachi music and fireworks, featured at the festival for the first time.

"The festival is an opportunity to talk to people, who are the ones that can give me a sense of what the community feels," Giralt-Cabrales said. "I think remembering the birth of our country is a good opportunity to make an assessment. Where we come from, where Mexicans are (at the moment) and where we are heading.”

He added that the Mexican community, along with other Latin American communities, have had the opportunity to observe the flourishing of the restaurant industry, particularly in Philadelphia. “They have contributed greatly in the production of quality services," Giralt-Cabrales said.

He also highlighted the work of the MCC as a key cultural organization in the region.

"It has consolidated its reputation promoting Mexican culture through good quality events,"Giralt-Cabrales said.

MCC is a non-profit organization that from its inception has promoted the understanding and interest of Mexican culture, as well as its influence in the United States. The center works closely with the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia to support the growing Mexican community in the regions of Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey.

"This year from May first to May fifth we ran Mexican Week, and for the first time we had the opportunity to raise the Mexican flag at City Hall. Through these events we saw the value that our art can bring to other communities. Ana Flores, executive director of MCC, has worked to make this new edition of the festival possible, which is an endeavor that requires months of work. I want to recognize that labor," Giralt-Cabrales said.
For more information visit the www.mexicanculturalcenter.org or call 215-592-0410.