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6/1/13

A Mexican Cultural Fiesta / Una Fiesta Cultural Mexicana


As it has become a custom in my office, cultural festivals have been held throughout the years. However, ever since I started working here, I have never seen anyone organize a Mexican cultural fiesta. This year my co-workers suggested we should have one and so we did.

On this blog, I have posted about the African-American celebration, Black History Month; Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, and more recently I posted some pictures of the Cambodian and Laotian New Year celebration. Now I have the honor of sharing with you a little bit of the culture and traditions of Mexico through photographs and a short narrative of how this event evolved in my office.

We were inspired by beautiful events from other cultures. At first, we talked about celebrating Cinco de Mayo but we quickly voted against it because Mexican people don’t really celebrate this date. We wanted to put together a different celebration, one that would prove a different panorama of Mexico to our co-workers in the office. So, as good old Mexicans who did not need any reason or special day to throw a good party, we picked any old day - May 23rd.





We carefully planned the menu and chose chicken and beef tostadas with all the trimmings. We picked Mexican arroz (rice) as the side dish and aguas frescas for beverages; espinaca (spinach), horchata (rice) and jamaica (hibiscus) to represent the colors of our Mexican flag. Dessert was rice pudding, flan and Mexican fruit gelatin. Our office is promoting healthy food and we thought this was a nutritious and satisfying meal that everyone would enjoy - it had everything - carbohydrates, protein, dairy, vegetables and fruit. Of course, we prepared this meal with authentic Mexican ingredients of the highest quality. It was a delicious meal that everyone liked!







Next were the decorations, exhibits and games. We planned exhibits that showcased the arts and crafts of Mexico as well as some clothing and textiles from the different regions throughout our country. We had an exhibit with Frida Kahlo’s paintings and artwork from the artist, Vic Herman, and a display showcasing influential people of Mexican descent which was very educational and inspirational to us.



We also had an exhibit to show the wine, olive oil and cheese from Baja, which are gaining in popularity every day. We had a tortilla-making demonstration with la tortillera (lady who makes tortillas)! In addition, we played loteria, a fun Mexican game similar to Bingo, and we organized a salsa contest. We invited everyone in the office to participate by contributing a salsa or by being one of the testers. People in the office really got into this; we counted entries not only of Mexican employees but also Cambodian, Vietnamese, African-American and Anglo co-workers who submitted excellent salsitas.



The ceiling and tables were decorated with papel picado and piñatas which we later raffled off. We all wore our beautiful Mexican attire with pride and we were eager to show off how beautiful our traditional vestments are.


The music was selected with the utmost care making sure it was tasteful and exquisite; we did not have any problems there because Mexico has an extensive repertoire of amazing music. A beautiful video was shown so that our co-workers could see the beauty and magnificence of Mexico’s landscapes.


We ended our celebration by handing out little bags filled with Mexican sweets to thank each guest.





All in all, our Mexican cultural event was a lovely one. I enjoyed not only the actual event and how beautiful everything was, but also all the planning. I got to work with my compatriots who work in the office with me but who I don’t always have the opportunity to talk and mingle with as much as I would like. We are all very busy with our work and sometimes it is hard to get to know each other.



During the planning of this event, I was pleasantly surprised by wonderful paisanos in the office that are very proud of our country and Mexican heritage as much as I am. Many thanks to all my beautiful, talented co-workers; you made this celebration a memorable one for me!


*Thanks to my co-workers who provided some of these pictures, you know who you are.


Una Fiesta Cultural Mexicana


Como ya es costumbre en mi oficina,  se han celebrado festivales culturales a lo largo de los años. Sin embargo, desde que empecé a trabajar aquí, nunca he visto a nadie organizar una fiesta cultural mexicana. Este año, mis compañeros de trabajo sugirieron que deberíamos tener una y así lo hicimos.

En este blog, he publicado acerca de la celebración afro-americana, Black History Month; Tet, el Año Nuevo vietnamita, y más recientemente he publicado algunas fotos de la celebración del Año Nuevo camboyano y laosiano. Ahora tengo el honor de compartir con ustedes un poco de la cultura y las tradiciones de México a través de fotografías y un breve relato de cómo se desarrolló este evento en mi oficina.

Nos inspiramos en hermosos eventos de otras culturas. Al pricipio, pensamos en celebrar el Cinco de Mayo, pero rápidamente votamos en contra de esto porque los mexicanos no celebramos esta fecha. Queríamos organizar una celebración diferente, que mostraría un panorama diferente de México a nuestros compañeros de trabajo en la oficina. Así que, como todo buen mexicano que no necesita ninguna razón o día especial para hacer una buena fiesta, escogimos un día cualquiera – el 23 de mayo.

 


Se planificó cuidadosamente el menú y elegimos tostadas de pollo y de res con todos los adornos. Escogimos arroz mexicano como el plato de acompañamiento y aguas frescas por bebidas; de espinaca, horchata y jamaica, para representar los colores de la bandera mexicana. El postre fue arroz con leche, flan y gelatina mexicana de fruta. Nuestra oficina está promoviendo una alimentación sana y nos pareció que era una comida nutritiva y satisfactoria que todos disfrutarían - tenía todo - carbohidratos, proteínas, lácteos, verduras y frutas. Por supuesto, preparamos esta comida con auténticos ingredientes mexicanos de la más alta calidad. Fue una deliciosa comida que a todos gusto!






Lo siguiente fueron las decoraciones, exposiciones y juegos. Planeamos exposiciones que mostraron las artes y artesanías de México, así como algunas prendas de vestir y textiles de las diferentes regiones de nuestro país. Tuvimos una exposición con las pinturas de Frida Kahlo y obras del artista, Vic Herman, y una pantalla mostrando algunas personas destacadas de ascendencia mexicana, la cual fue muy educativa y de inspiración para nosotros.


También tuvimos una exhibición para mostrar el vino, el aceite de oliva y queso de Baja California, los cuales están ganando popularidad cada día. Tuvimos una demostración de cómo hacer tortillas con la tortillera (señora que hace tortillas)! Además, jugamos loteria, un divertido juego mexicano similar al Bingo, y se organizó un concurso de salsas. Invitamos a todos en la oficina a participar aportando una salsa o siendo uno de los probadores. La gente en la oficina realmente se envolvio en esto, contamos con las aportaciones no sólo de los trabajadores mexicanos, sino también de compañeros camboyanos, vietnamitas, afroamericanos y anglos quienes nos presentaron excelentes salsitas.



El techo y las mesas estaban decorados con papel picado y piñatas que más tarde sorteamos. Con orgullo portamos lindas prendas de vestir mexicanas y nos esforzamos por mostrar lo hermoso de nuestro tradicional vestuario.


La música fue seleccionada con el máximo cuidado asegurándose de que fuera exquisita y de buen gusto, no tuvimos ningún problema con esto porque México cuenta con un amplio repertorio de increíble música. Un hermoso video fue mostrado, para que nuestros compañeros de trabajo pudieran ver la belleza y la magnificencia de los paisajes de México.


Terminamos nuestra celebracion repartiendo unas bolcitas llenas de dulces Mexicanos para agradecer a los invitados.





En definitiva, nuestro evento cultural mexicana fue un éxito. Disfrute mucho, no sólo del evento y lo hermoso que estuvo todo, sino también de la planificación. De la oportunidad de compartir con mis compatriotas que trabajan en la oficina conmigo, pero con los que no siempre tengo la oportunidad de hablar y convivir tanto como me gustaría. Todos estamos muy ocupados con nuestro trabajo y a veces es difícil llegar a conocernos unos a otros.





Durante la planificación de este evento, quede gratamente sorprendida de ver a mis paisanos en la oficina que se sienten orgullosos de nuestro país y la herencia mexicana tanto como yo. Muchas gracias a todos mis hermosos y talentosos compañeros de trabajo; ustedes hicieron que esta celebración fuera memorable para mí!


*Gracias a mis compañeros que me proporsionaron algunas fotografias, ustedes saben quienes son.

23 comments:

GlorV1 said...

Exellent post amiga. Wow, that was some party. You must work for a big company. Nice to read your post and really enjoyed your fun. I see that you posted it twice? Can I suggest a "translator" where someone can translate to their language. I think I have one on my site. Just a thought amiga. Of course you're the boss. tee hee. Take care and thanks for the fun.::hugs::

Prieta said...

Hi Gloria, thank you for your comment. I have a translator on the sidebar for other languages but I don't really like how it does the Spanish translations. I always do my post in English and Spanish because I have to practice my writing in both languages - hopefully I'm getting a little better each time.
Take care.

Carmen A said...

Les quedo muy bonito todo. Felicidades!

Anonymous said...

Que bonito Martha, Gracias por avivar la llama de sentirnos orgullosos de ser Mexicanos.
Angelica

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for the lovely event and the freshly baked tortillas.
It was a great event full of colors, smiles, art, and culture.
Shady

Anonymous said...

Thank you, ! =) so much food was great! And the art work and display’s and video etc everything was well presented and everyone involve meet the part and was an awesome host thank you !

Jessica Perez

Anonymous said...

It was very beautiful and very educational. The food was good and the ambiance was very festive. My hat goe off to all the organizers !!!!!!
Savanith

Anonymous said...

That was a beautiful, splendid, awesome event. Sorry I missed some activities but enjoyed the displays and your smiles. Cheers to all the organizers and all.

Gracias!
Modesta

Anonymous said...

The Cultural Event was awesome! Awesome job to you and the rest of the team : )

-Alissa

Anonymous said...

Thanks-it was great to share with everyone and thanks to you and all others for their hard work. Chris

Anonymous said...

thank you!! Great event. Congratulations!! you all did a very good job.
Yolanda

Anonymous said...

Wonderful event!! Thanks to all the organizers!!!
Sal

Anonymous said...

I agree.

Thank you for a good time.

RML

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Martha. Everything was wonderful. The food was healthy and delicious. I know how hard you and your team worked to organize this event.
Helen

Anonymous said...

Thank you. God bless you.

Emebet

ZOILA said...

OMG!!!I HAD A GREAT TIME. AND WAS AMAZED HOW EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER. YOU'RE TORTILLAS WERE AMAZING:)VERY CLASSY AND EDUCATIONAL. THANKS FOR BEING OUR LEADER!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Martha,

Thank you for the picture and for the wonderful fiesta you help put together. It was amazing to see the culture of Mexico. You could see the pride in everyone when they spoke of their home country. :)

Best,

Rosie Cooney

Anonymous said...

Great job Martha!
You did an excellent job with organizing the event and I’m glad I was able to be part of it!
Thank you for sharing this with us 
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Very nice Martha! Thanks for sharing. It was very interesting, everything you have on the blog.
Bobbi

¿Gusta Usted? said...

Prieta, qué hermosa fiesta mexicana y cuánto trabajo! Te felicito y los felicito a todos, pensaron en todo, muy buenos detalles me da emoción a pesar que no estuve allí.

He tenido muchos problemas para comentar en los blogs de mis amigos, las páginas nunca se terminan de cargar y los comentarios igual. Espero que este se publique y no se quede en el limbo.

Un abrazo bien grande Martha

Prieta said...

Many thanks to everyone for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the celebration.

Nora, la fiesta estuvo muy bonita y era para emocionarse!
Gracias por pasar por aquí. Te regreso el abrazo, que estés bien.

Anonymous said...

OMG I had not seen this from last year!!!! It was such a nice event and I am soooo exited to do it again this year!!! Viva nuestra Cultura :) Great Blog Martha it is amazing
Saharina

Prieta said...

Thank you Saha, I can't wait neither!