200 and loving it

Scores turned up to celebrate the bicentennial of Mexico's independence and the centennial of the Mexican revolution.

In a grand Wednesday night celebration held at the Grand Jamaican Suite (ballroom) of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, beautifully decorated in Mexican colours of green, red and white, with appealing ornaments hanging from the ceiling, attendants mingled, exchanged greetings and indulged in a wide variety of Mexican cuisine.

Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda welcomed all to "a celebration in which we honour great men and women who fought for our emancipation".

She spoke of the similarities between Jamaica and Mexico - both being two governments that strive hard to improve the socio-economic well-being of their people, two countries that have worked together in the past, present and were looking towards the future.

Rueda also reminded all to remember the moment in history when Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the bells of freedom in Mexico.

As they raised their glasses to a toast for the continued prosperity of Mexico and made the traditional shout of "Viva Mexico!" the celebrations began.

The night's entertainment was centred mainly around the Achai, a non-profit organisation developed primarily for purposes of sharing the rich Mexican cultural traditions within its own territorial space and around the world.

Energetic performances

The Achai in Jamaica, which comprises of 22 members - 10 musicians and 12 dancers aged from 15-25 years old - gave energetic, spirited performances while garbed in traditional dress.

The group danced and sang traditional Mexican pieces with the crowd joining them in singing.

The event, organised by the Embassy of Mexico in Jamaica, was one of several activities planned over the course of a six-day celebratory period which began on Monday with a perfor-mance by the Achai for University of Technology students and a charity performance for the Tivoli Gardens Community.

Since then, performances have also been done on TVJ's 'Smile Jamaica' morning programme at the Immaculate Conception School, The Wyndam Kingston, Pegasus, Riu and Iberostar hotels and will end with today's perfor-mance at the Grand Palladium Hotel.