Fight for the right to party!

(Dissident teachers at the start of the Alternative Guelaguetza,in Oaxaca. Notimex photo by Hugo Alberto Velasco, printed in The News)

It’s that time again.  The annual running of the protesters in Oaxaca always cumulates in the now traditional duelling traditional Guelaguetzas.  What had been since the 17th century a religious fiesta and market was always running away from the authorities, as the locals had their own ideas of what they expected from the Oaxaca-wide swap meet and party.  In the early 1930s, to satisfy the people’s needs, and at the same time satisfy restrictions on religious processions in public,  Guelaguetza was given a new identity as a “folk festival.”  That was fine until the State, in the 1980s and 90s decided to make the event a tourist attraction.  While the State invested in facilities and brought in “acts” to perform for the tourists.  The chronic political and social unrest within the State, as tourism and other foreign investments (especially in mining) left people feeling more and more alienated from the State government, cumulated in violent uprising in 2006.

One “victim” of the violence was the offical Guelaguetza — dissidents burned down the “traditional” site (in use since the 1930s).  Since “the show must go on” (and the last thing anyone wanted were tour groups cancelling their reservations), the Guelaguetza went on in a heavily guarded compound, while an ad hoc alternative Guelaguetza took place in the streets, sponsored by the dissident unions and other groups.

This year’s events are being held both at the official site (Cerro Fortin) and at the State University Stadium.  The problem in Oaxaca, according to some, was that the state was run by a single political party.  Maybe this doesn’t change the politics, but it’s a step in the right direction to set up a “two party” system.