More than 1,000 Mariachis Belt out Classics Like ‘Cielito Lindo’ in a Mexico City Plaza

 Hundreds of mariachis perform simultaneously traditional Mexican songs "Cielito Lindo" and "El son de la negra" at the Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico, November 10, 2024.(Reuters)
Hundreds of mariachis perform simultaneously traditional Mexican songs "Cielito Lindo" and "El son de la negra" at the Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico, November 10, 2024.(Reuters)
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More than 1,000 Mariachis Belt out Classics Like ‘Cielito Lindo’ in a Mexico City Plaza

 Hundreds of mariachis perform simultaneously traditional Mexican songs "Cielito Lindo" and "El son de la negra" at the Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico, November 10, 2024.(Reuters)
Hundreds of mariachis perform simultaneously traditional Mexican songs "Cielito Lindo" and "El son de la negra" at the Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico, November 10, 2024.(Reuters)

More than 1,000 mariachis gathered in Mexico City’s main plaza Sunday, strumming guitars and singing classics like “Cielito Lindo” to end a mariachi congress celebrating the musical form.

The number of musicians apparently topped the previous record of 700 mariachis at an earlier gathering in the Mexican city of Guadalajara.

The Guinness World Records organization hasn’t replied to a message from The Associated Press asking whether Sunday's gathering broke the previous record.

The musicians, many of whom had arrived in Mexico's capital from other cities, expressed their joy at singing in the giant iconic plaza, saying the music is a family tradition they start learning at a young age.

Jesús Morales said his father taught him to play the violin at age 8, and at 13 he began playing with his uncles in the Mariachi Morales in the city of Hidalgo.

“The heritage that my dad mainly instilled in us is having respect for music and respect for our roots,” he said.

The mariachis played guitars, trumpets, violins and other instruments.

Aida Juárez is a mariachi with 20 years of experience. She is a pioneer of women’s mariachi groups.

“We feel proud that we broke (the record) it is a pride because we are Mexicans,” she said.

Diana Rocío Campos is a merchant who attended the event and loves the music.

“Anyone who listens to (the mariachi) gets very excited, whether they are Mexican or not,” she said. “People come from many countries like Colombia or Japan” to listen to the mariachis.



Saudi Culture Ministry Hosts Yemeni Orchestra in Riyadh

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Culture Ministry Hosts Yemeni Orchestra in Riyadh

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Ministry of Culture is set to host on Sunday the Yemeni Orchestra at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh, in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

The event will feature Yemeni musicians performing a wide array of music and songs showcasing Yemen’s cultural heritage, including traditional genres from Aden, Sanaa, and Hadramout. Saudi musicians will participate, performing collaborative pieces that celebrate the shared musical heritage between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

As part of the festivities, the Saudi Music Commission, one of 11 sector specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, will host interactive exhibits allowing visitors to explore traditional Saudi music instruments and view archival audio-visual recordings from Saudi Arabia’s musical heritage. Additionally, the Saudi Trouq Meets the World initiative will feature musical performances blending traditional instruments from Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The ALIPH Foundation, in cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, will present a photo exhibition documenting their work in preserving Yemen’s cultural and historical heritage sites, in collaboration with various Yemeni institutions and international organizations.

The upcoming event reflects the Ministry’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and collaboration. It is also a testament to the strong ties between the Kingdom and Yemen, while supporting cultural preservation and furthering the fraternal ties between the two nations.