For obvious reasons, this was the quietest and more solemn Independence Day celebrations that I have ever experience in Guatemala. Other than a few speeches, the day went by just like any other day.
First of all, I wish a very happy Central American Independence Day to all the loyal readers out there! Above we can appreciate the coat of arms on the Nicaraguan flag. This is the flag the most resembles the flag of La Federación del Centro, United States of Central America, a union formed on July … Read more
First of all, I want to wish a very happy Guatemalan Independence Day to all the loyal readers out there! With each passing year, the parades of Día de la Independencia de Guatemala are becoming more elaborate and diverse. Here, for instance, there’s a environmental portrait of two Garífuna musicians bringing the flavour of the … Read more
Once again, as every September 15, the streets of La Antigua Guatemala were filled with students marching to all kind of sounds, not just military tunes. As I have said before, processions and parades are the favourites street manifestations of antigüeños. Here are a couple of captures from the many different school parades around the … Read more
Honestly, I don’t know why we still celebrate Independence Day in Guatemala. What we should be doing is putting a classified in the Nordic countries and any other wealthy country in Asia, or anywhere really, to put Guatemala back on the market as a colony. What we offer: great weather, paradisiac tropical vacations, rich culture … Read more
This portrait of a Guatemalan man wearing the flag of Guatemala on his face was taken within two feet from him at the most recent photo walk that I lead this morning through the streets of Antigua Guatemala. Boy oh boy, the Parque Central was such a zoo with large crowds from all over Guatemala. … Read more
Have a happy Guatemalan Independence Day weekend everyone. Enjoy the multimedia material I have compiled for you! Once again, we have to thank Nelo Mijangos for sharing his photos with us. Our regular contributor and friend Guy Howard shares his gallery of civic events for September 15 in Antigua Guatemala. Free into the wind, your … Read more
Torches, marathons and student marching bands parades are the main activities Guatemalans do for celebrating Independence Day. These activities usually begin manifesting on the first days of September, but around 10 or 11 is impossible not to notice them. Each activities has a reason and history as to how it became part of the Independence … Read more
Guatemala celebrates its Independence on September 15 and through the entire month student marching bands and parades are quite common. Students begin practicing for these parades as early as July. By the way, I found this video with Guatemala’s National Anthem as sound track and over view of the country in moving images. If you … Read more
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
School bands and parades were the norm to celebrate Independence Day before the December 29 signing of The Guatemalan Peace Accords of 1996, which put an end to Guatemala’s 36-year civil war since the CIA-orchestrated overthrow of the democratic reformist government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954 (read more…). School parades with their martial music bands … Read more
So, what kind activities are done in Guatemala to celebrate Independence Day? 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!” Having said that, you can begin to see the first glances of Independence Day activities back in July, or … Read more
On September 14 10, people from all over the country begin a marathon to go to another part of the country to get the fire for the Independence Torch in their communities. There are many places the have a torch where other people from other towns can light up their torch to bring back to … Read more
