In a vibrant display of musical tradition, more than 1,000 mariachi musicians gathered in Mexico City’s iconic Zócalo on Sunday to attempt a Guinness World Record for the most mariachis performing simultaneously. The event, held at the city’s Constitution Plaza, marked the closing of the inaugural International Mariachi Congress, a celebration of Mexico’s rich mariachi heritage.
The previous record of 700 musicians was set in 2013 during a similar gathering in Guadalajara, Jalisco, the birthplace of mariachi music. Once evidence is submitted, Guinness World Records typically takes around 12 weeks to officially confirm a new record.
Musicians from across the country, playing trumpets, violins, and other traditional instruments, kicked off the performance with “El Son de la Negra,” a piece by Mexican composer Blas Galindo. However, it was the rendition of “Cielito Lindo” that was intended to set the new record, with the grand finale featuring a rousing version of “El Rey.”
A Celebration of Tradition and Cultural Preservation
The event not only aimed to break records but also to preserve and promote the art of mariachi music for future generations. Many musicians expressed concern about the waning interest in ranchero music among younger audiences.
Alejandro Hernández, a young mariachi musician, told El Sol de México, “It is important to rescue our music and not let it die.”
Representing the mariachi group of the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH), violinist Jesús Morales Castro emphasized the honor of representing Mexico through its music. “It is a privilege to safeguard the genre and carry it forward,” he said.
The gathering also highlighted the increasing participation of female musicians in the mariachi community. Traditionally a male-dominated genre, women began forming their own mariachi groups in the 1950s, coinciding with the first decade Mexican women were granted the right to vote.
Aida Juárez, a seasoned female mariachi musician with 20 years of experience, expressed pride in the accomplishment: “We feel proud that we broke the record. It is an honor because we are Mexicans.”
Organizers and Future Plans
The International Mariachi Congress was organized by the Mexico City Chamber of Commerce (Canaco CDMX), in partnership with the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico, the Ministry of Culture, and the Mexican Union of Mariachis. César Cravioto, Mexico City’s Governance Minister, confirmed that plans are already underway to break the record again next year, with continued support from local authorities, mariachi musicians, and business owners.
As the mariachis packed up their instruments, the event not only marked a potential world record but also underscored the enduring cultural significance of mariachi music in Mexico’s identity.
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