Once again Leonel “Nelo” Mijangos is sharing his photographs with us. Yesterday Nelo showed us some his photos for the student parades serpentining around La Antigua Guatemala on September 14. Today he continues with another slide show of the vistas for the 189th Independence Day. Let’s thank Nelo for getting early and chasing down the parades for our benefit. 😉
Here’s Guatemala’s National Anthem in English and Español
Today I am happy to present my very good friend Leonel “Nelo” Mijangos photographs. Even though he has appeared twice in AntiguaDailyPhoto, this is the first time we get a chance to appreciate his photography. Nelo was kind enough to share with us some his photos to help us understand the Independence school parades.
Most people in Guatemala often say that Guatemalans are not very “patriotic” and immediately mention how patriotic the Mexicans really are: “that’s really patriotism!” Heck I even heard an hour long radio show today discussing it.
Having said that, one can see the first glances of the Independence Day preparations back in July, or earlier, with student bands practices (#1). Of course, there is plenty of Independence Day bunting everywhere since the first days of September and a lot of street vendors selling flags in all shades of blue, even though only one blue is the official (#2). One week before September 15, there are student parades from pre-primary to high school on the streets of every town in the country (#3). Don’t forget the marathons with their patriotic torches(#4). In every school, government building and town’s main plaza there are Pledges of Alliance to the Flag, although here we call it Juramiento a la bandera, and the singing of Guatemala’s National Anthem recitals; check out last year’s Libre al viento tu hermosa bandera to read Guatemala’s National Anthem in English (#5). In some towns, there are enactments of the Signing of Independence Act (#6). On September 15th, at 6 p.m. all over main squares and central parks of Guatemala there is a civic act known as La arriada de la bandera, Haul down of the flag (#7). There are, of course, speeches remembering the signing of the Independence Act and how many years has been thus far (188) since 1821 (#8). Last but not least, the burning of firecracker bombs, firecrackers and fireworks, which may include Torito firecracker burnings (#9).
That’s what Guatemalans, who are not very “patriotic”, do to celebrate their Independence.
All photos by Leonel [Nelo] Mijangos
Guatemalans are not known for being patriotic; yeah Guatever! Nevertheless, we do have our patriotic symbols like El Quetzal, our most beautiful emerald resplendent bird; La Monja Blanca, Guatemala’s national flower— a rare orchid; La Ceiba, Guatemala’s national tree —majestic and sacred portals to Xibalbá; The Flag; The National Anthem; Los Próceres, the leaders of Guatemala’s Independence Movement; The Marimba, et cetera. A long list which I will tackle in the next few days.
Today’s photos captured a quiet moment while some kids were reading and learning about the patriotic symbols that perpetuate a nation. Below, there is a video that shows the opposite: frenetic youthful energy. For better or worse, that’s how we are, conservative and peaceful most of the time, but we know how to party when the opportunity arises.
Our very dear friend Kara from HablaGuate published this wonderful video of a marching band rehearsal in preparation for the Independence Day festivities on September 14 and 15. Interesting enough I drove by almost at the same time, but I was rushing and I could not stop to take a picture or record a video clip. I am so glad Kara did. This is what she wrote on her personal blog NewMaya in her post Dancing to the music before Independence Day.
I found this bouquet near the juice bar at the breakfast buffet in Finca Filadelfia. It looks like a creative chef and his knife turn some classic Guatemalan vegetables into gorgeous and edible bouquet. I especially like the cucumber and beat flowers; how about you?
Among the zillion things you can do inside Finca Filadelfia, you can also have breakfast and lunch buffets on the weekends. This is something to try on a weekend before you take the coffee, mule or canopy tours. I am thinking we should be compiling a list of the things one must do in and … Read more
Now, this is how I like my weather conditions. Talking about the weather, Guatemala’s Instituto Nacional de SismologÃa, VulcanologÃa, MeteorologÃa e HidrologÃa, INSIVUMEH for short, has declared 2010 the year with most rains in the past 50 years; just like I said the other day, The Rainiest Year Ever. Now, consider that the next two … Read more
Today, I continue learning about the Guatemalan coffees. In the past I have mention how I thought coffee plantations were beneficial for the environment because they provided almost undisturbed forested land for birds like Bushy-crested Jay which is native to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Also, I shared with you the biannual procedure of … Read more
In this photograph I try to captured the different ages or stages of the coffee berries. Since we are showing the different ages of coffee I thought I should share with you the information about the different premium coffees from Guatemala. According to Anacafé, Guatemalan National Coffee Association, there are eight distinct strictly hard bean … Read more
These are the hands the rock the coffee berries off the branches swiftly, almost effortlessly it seemed. There’s something about these hands that moves me . What kind of stories are behind these hands? What life have they lived?
In Spanish we use the word café to mean coffee and brown. Coffee berries, however, begin their color palette lifecycle as green fruit which then turns yellow and finally red when ripe. The color shifts do not stop there, from there it turns yellowish again as it is being dried, then light green and finally … Read more
Today I took a photo tour with other members of Club Fotográfico de Antigua inside Finca Filadelfia. The idea behind the tour was to capture new coffee images for a photo exhibit event as part of Festival en Finca Filadelfia con sabor a café on September 25. The whole tour was an eye opener to … Read more
Guatemala’s largest photo festival Fotoâ–¸30 was inaugurated tonight in La Antigua Guatemala with two photo exhibits: Tribu and Que los muertos hablan.
Fotoâ–¸30 is celebrating its 8th anniversary with 30 photo exhibits held through out Guatemala. If you like photography, this is your opportunity to indulge in the universe of the Guatemalan imagery. Don’t miss it, all the events are free!
Here’s a slide show to give you an overview of the Inauguration at espacioce! in the CompañÃa de Jesús building in La Antigua Guatemala.
This has to be the rainiest year ever in my entire life. I had never ever seen so much rainfall. After several consecutive days of non-stop rain I posted this in Twitter: @rudygiron: Éste es el año más lluvioso de toda mi vida y sinceramente ya me tiene harto y deprimido. @rudygiron: This has to … Read more
How can one find beauty in such a rustic forged metal knocker? I don’t know, but the instant I saw it I knew I had to add it to my door knocker collection. I found this door knocker in Finca Filadelfia; look for it next time you visit La Antigua Guatemala.
I promise to stop whining about the rainy season and its washed and gray skies if I am allowed to capture a decent rainy season themed or caused image every once in a while like in these previous posts: Almost Perfect Daredevil in Antigua Guatemala Contemplating the heavy rain One Way to the Decisive Moment … Read more