MEXICO-MARIACHIS Mariachis mark the Feast of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians

Record ID: 190425

  • Title: MEXICO-MARIACHIS Mariachis mark the Feast of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians
  • Date: 23rd November 2014
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MIGUEL ANGEL CALDERON, MUSICIAN, SAYING: "First, I want to congratulate our patron who all year and not just this past year but always protects us, fills us with blessings and, at the same time, to petition her over our work, that she send us her protection because this work is beautiful." VARIOUS OF PRIEST BLESSING MUSICIANS
  • Embargoed: 8th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA1IHQ8IVUT45EDE8N7MGDTPTVC
  • Story Text: Filling the streets of Mexico City with music, mariachis marked their national day on Saturday (November 22) with a festival of music and serenades.
    Clad in their traditional garb of cropped jackets and wide sombreros, the mariachi musicians banded together to march in procession to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
    For years, Mexico City's mariachis have gathered on November 22 to honour their patron saint, Cecilia.
    Musician Miguel Angel Calderon said he was thankful to the saint for being able to enjoy his profession.
    "First, I want to congratulate our patron who all year and not just this past year but always protects us, fills us with blessings and, at the same time, to petition her over our work, that she send us her protection because this work is beautiful," he said.
    In the Catholic tradition, Cecilia was an early Roman martyr who is often represented in art by a harp.
    How she came to be the patron saint of musicians is a bit unclear, said priest Marco Marelli.
    "Saint Cecilia was always traditionally considered the patron of musicians, simply because she was a very pretty young lady and music speaks of beauty," he explained.
    Mariachis originated in the 19th century in the western state of Jalisco where they performed at festivals and weddings. Their instruments include guitars, violins and harps but many modern day mariachi groups have eliminated the harp in favour of the trumpet.
    The name "mariachi" came from French soldiers who arrived in Mexico in the 1800s and called the musicians "marriage," the French word for wedding.
    But today mariachis don't only perform at nuptials, but at any occasion that's worth celebrating.
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