September 15 marks the beginning of a celebration that has been 2000 years in the making

September 15 marks the beginning of a celebration that has been 2000 years in the making

September 15 marks the beginning of a celebration that has been 2000 years in the making. This year Mexico celebrates its centennial for the revolution and the bicentennial celebrating 200 years of independence form Spanish rule.

For many Mexican's in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit who's income depends on tourism, it a welcome reprieve from the continual onslaught of reporting of isolated instances of violence in and around Mexico's premier tourist destinations.

While no one can deny the increase in violence, many government officials and news pundits are point to the fact that while violence in the country has escalated, the majority of the violence is located near and long the border cities to the US, where the illicit trade is the strongest. The centennial celebrations provide Mexico and Mexican's with an opportunity to reflect on and take lessons from their collective history and the process of self-determination.

In order to understand today, it is often necessary to begin any analysis by looking back in time to see how a multitude of events have shaped the Mexico we live in Today. The national and English speaking press will be providing a plethora of information in the newspapers over the coming weeks both bemoaning and celebrating the progress and retreats that have define Mexico since El Grito first rang through the quiet streets of San Miguel de Allende all those years ago.

Flavio Romero de Velasco commented recently in much respected El Informador in the July 24, 2010, edition:

"Reflections: In the political history of Mexico, democracy has not fared well. During the 187 years of independent Mexico (1821-2008), there have only been three attempts at a democratic system: The Restored Republic (1867-1876), the government of Madero (1911-1913) and the government of Fox (2000-2006). Sixteen years of liberty is practically nothing compared to all the rest. Also, this vast historical experience has developed a problem: not only do we not know very well how democracy works, we know all too well how to make it not work."

An interesting comment from a former governor of the State of Jalisco and an impression of Mexico often heard in national conversations. Continuing with this reflection by Romero de Velasco, an article in the same newspaper of August 9, 2010, by José de Jesús Covarrubias Duenas makes the following observations:

"...irreconcilable differences between liberals and conservatives, the Catholic Church and the Masons, Juaristas (Benito Juarez) and Porfiristas (Porfirio Diaz), Villistas (Francisco Villa) and Obregonistas (Alvaro Obregon) and today among different political parties who struggle for power itself, regardless of the consequences."

A reference to the long history of opposing groups in their quest for political power in the country. Covarrubias continues, "In addition to the reasons already stated (lack of defined public policies), is that the Mexican government, for 200 years, is based on improvisation. A class of efficient public administrators has never been developed..."

While the previous statements make for depressing reading, times are changing in Mexico with the newly emergent political class beginning to demand more action from government authorities and often creating civil associations to effect change. Puerto Vallarta, like San Miguel and Ajijic has seen a dramatic increase in the number of organizations working to tackle everything from child cleft palette, domestic abuse, the provision education and medical care, to gay rights to the environment.

Many Mexicans complain that the new middle class has turned into an active class of arm chair activists but the success of the newly formed PEACE in Puerto Vallarta along with the longstanding International Friendship, the local chapter of the local Make a Wish Foundation and Setac the new LGBT organization that is liaising on international level to promote human rights are all a testament to the growing socio-political class in Puerto Vallarta in particular and Mexico in general.

The Centennial celebrations on Puerto Vallarta's world famous Malecon will see many of the organizations celebrating their history while simultaneously demanding a stronger voice in their future.

The upcoming celebrations of both the Independence and subsequent revolution are important psychological markers both past and present.

To find out about other important cultural events in Mexico, including national holidays, The upcoming Gourmet Festival (November) The Saint Guadalupe Festival and parades (Dec 1 – 12) The arrival of the Humpback Whales to Bahia de Banderas (Dec – March) and the Wine festival in February please contact your concierge at concierge@luxurybeach.com or visit www.luxurybeach.com

Adapted from Ron C Walker´s article Preparations for Mexican Independence Day on PVNN.com