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“EL GRITO” OF INDEPENDENCE CEREMONY

DATE: Thursday, September 18th, 2025
TIME: 6:30pm – 7pm
LOCATION: 401 Riverside Dr. W, Windsor, ON

COST: This event is part of AWE at Night 

  • Current AWE Members: Free admission
  • Non-Members: $20

Accessibility: Accessibility and accommodation requests must be made at least two weeks in advance of the event. Please contact shinch@artwindsoressex.ca for questions.

Popularly known as “El Grito,” the ceremony involves a reenactment of the call for independence from Spain, which took place in 1810. It’s a key part of Mexican Independence Day celebrations, occurring on the night of September 15th. The ceremony includes the ringing of a bell and the shouting of “¡Viva México!”, followed by cheers from the crowd.

In Mexico City, the president leads the ceremony from the balcony of the National Palace with a call to arms (the “grito”), which is a shout of patriotism and a call to action. From abroad, Mexicans around the globe gather to recreate this moment, led by Consulates and Embassies of Mexico on five continents, allowing Mexican communities to celebrate their shared history and heritage.

On September 18th, 2025, Consul of Mexico in Leamington, Rodrigo Baez, will lead this civic ceremony in Windsor, at Art Windsor-Essex (AWE), followed by the intonation of Mexico’s National Anthem and a cultural show.

MAXEI MEXICAN CULTURAL GROUP

Founded in 2024, Maxei celebrates and promotes Mexican culture in Canada through traditional dance. Inspired by everyday life in Mexico, our performances highlight the community’s values, history, and identity.

Created by Ariane Díaz in Leamington, the group brings together Mexican community members passionate about the arts. With dances from Veracruz to Northern Mexico, Maxei shares the color, music, and spirit of Mexican traditions across Canadian stages.

ROMAN DE LA CRUZ, singer

Born in the town of Suchiapa, Chiapas, Mexico, Román discovered a passion for singing at the age of 15 and began developing his talent through self-taught practice. By age 18, he was already performing live, gaining experience and recognition as a vocalist of traditional Mexican regional music.

In 2020, he emigrated to Canada as an agricultural worker. During his free time, he would sing to entertain fellow workers, quickly capturing the interest and admiration of those around them. This led to performances at local restaurants, where his music was warmly embraced by the community. Since then, Román has continued to bring the vibrant sound of regional Mexican music to new audiences, sharing his culture and voice on different stages in Canada.