San Miguel de Allende, MEXICO Alborada
The celebration first started in 1925 when factory workers of Fabrica La Aurora decided to resume this ancient tradition. It is one of the most anticipated events and the pyrotechnics are the most spectacular.
The festivity begins in Jardín Allende, where various music bands bring joy to attendees. Contingents of people arrive, carrying massive colored paper stars that evoke the Virgin of Light and carrying candles inside, symbolizing how they illuminated the processions when there was still no electricity. The ‘fight’ is represented by a show of fireworks and pyrotechnics that lasts more than an hour in the early morning.
The festival continues through the weekend with events such as concert of traditional music, celebrations of the consumption of Mexican independence, the blessing of the horses, burn of fireworks consisting of the papier-mâché dolls on tall poles, parade of traditional dance groups, rodeo, bull fighting, and firework show in the evening.
La Alborada is one of the most important traditions, from colonial times to the present – the 100-year celebration of the patron saint San Miguel Arcángel.
Fireworks of La Alborada Celebration at main plaza, San Miguel de Allende Bar entrance with a mojiganga In front of the Parroquia de San Miguel, where La Arrasadora Banda Sausitos sets the atmosphere. People dance as a group or alone. During the Festivities of San Miguel Arcángel the city becomes a melting pot of colors, textures and religious traditions that mix in a wild syncretism. The hours long parade of indigenous dances groups from surrounding communities, San Miguel de Allende Mojigangas are giant puppets created with cardboard and other materials. They originated from Spain and were brought to Mexico around the 1600s. A bar with vibrant decoration. At 4:45 in the morning, a huge four-side castle is added to the arsenal of San Miguel. The crowd that used to be on the esplanade now jumps around him, dodging the sparks released by the hulk. People gather to witness a great spectacle of thousands of fireworks that culminate at 5 in the morning. At 5:15am the pyrotechnic bombs stop. Good has triumphed. “Señor San Miguel” has defeated evil and the crowd celebrates with applause the good news: a prosperous year full of blessings will come for all. The paper stars evoked the Virgin of Light, venerated since 1930 by those who worked in the old textile factory La Aurora. The mojigangas are approximately 15ft high that gives the sensation that they float above the crowd. When the last of the four faces finish shining, the circular structure that crowns it lights up, begins to rotate instantly, it shoots out, and flies through the sky. The Archangel San Miguel is relentless, his spears fight the evil one who seems not to surrender. At 2:30 a.m., from the neighborhoods of Valle del Maíz, La Aurora and La Estación, huge stars made of colorful paper begin to arrive at Jardín Allende. Festivities of San Miguel Arcángel, patron saint of San Miguel, are the most important throughout the year. Some of these fireworks end their way on the ground of the street in front of the church, where several young men have taken off their shirts and wave it with their arms, jumping and shouting “San Miguel, San Miguel!”, while dodging the splinters of fire that fall from the sky. They shoot at the parish the fireworks that break into flowers and represent the artillery of Satan, whom San Miguel fights with thousands of luminous spears, in a pitched battle that seems eternal. Procession of La Alborada. Mojigangas symbolize joy and are often used to parody iconic figures like La Catrina, Frida, and los novios (wedding couples). A giant puppet at a restaurant entrance The birding rockets shoot out from the courtyard of the majestic neo-Gothic style Parroquia de San Miguel. The annual festivities of San Miguel Arcángel, patron saint of San Miguel, are the most important in the place. La Alborada, a representation of the fight of the Archangel San Miguel against Lucifer, which translates into a pyrotechnic show about an hour. The ringing of the main bell at 4:00 in the morning interrupts the revelry and marks the beginning of La Alborada, a luminous offering to please the “Archangel Lord San Miguel”, as they call him, and thus grant them blessings throughout the year. The parade is an exhibition of dances from communities such as Guerrero, La Cieneguita, Barrio Las Cuevitas and Colonia Nueva Pantoja. Wrapped in the scent of copal, the Apaches dance with long wigs and tribal motifs painted on their faces, Chichimeca concheros carrying plumes worthy of an emperor, flashicos who beat each other with sticks on the back, and Guadalupan Indians. ‘Mojiganga’ has a burlesque and satirical meaning; They also convey the sensation of joy, fear, amazement, and a sense of imagination. Mojigangas are very important to Mexican culture. “They are a representation of our customs and traditions, and they allow us to pass down our heritage to future generations”. — Hermes Arroyo The parade of mojigangas in the late afternoon is my favorite part of La Alborada Celebration, San Miguel de Allende shadows of an art piece near the main square Dancer of La Alborada Celebration In front of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, traditional dancers are accompanied by lively mariachi bands. Hat store near the main square, San Miguel de Allende Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel was built in 1683, this pastel pink church is the city’s most recognizable landmark. Food stall near the main square Performer of La Alborada Celebration With each explosion, the sky lights up in honor of San Miguel Arcángel. At the end of the fireworks, the mañanitas are sung in honor of the patron saint, symbolizing the gratitude of the people of San Miguel for the favors received.
