Cinco de Mayo is often mixed up with the Mexican National Holiday, the country’s “official” Independence Day, which is held on September 16, and is a bigger celebration than the widely known Cinco de Mayo.
The origin of this holiday starts with a bittersweet victory won by a heroically defensive Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza over the outnumbered French troops on May, 5 1862 in the Battle of Puebla. Though the Mexicans lost the war against the French, the victory celebration remained and throughout the country people commemorate how the hero General Zaragoza defeated the expeditionary army of Louis Napoleon.
The real importance of the Battle of Puebla was, besides stopping the advance of the French troops and delaying the occupation of the country by several years, is that it also halted the intervention of the French in the American Civil War. If there is no Cinco de Mayo, the whole history of the United States might have been different. So this is the reason why it is celebrated primarily in the US, and because Mexican immigrants needed a symbol to express their identity and the unity of their nation, this Cinco de Mayo celebration is perfect for.
So this holiday gained a new meaning, became more popular and an occasion to introduce the Mexican culture and heritage to the Americans. The formerly barely known holiday has been transformed into a universal celebration of Mexican culture, music and cuisine, with street parties, dance, fireworks, lots of Mexican food and drink, to grow into a multicultural fiesta in North America.
Todo el mundo es mexicano
On this day, however, not only in the United States, but in many parts of the world, where there is a Mexican community, street parties and various parades are organized outdoors. Friends and families, acquaintances and other friendly strangers get together, and everyone becomes Mexican at least for one day. There is mariachi music all day long, and the bar never runs out of beer and tequila.
Cinco de Mayo in Budapest
Thank God there is no other way in Budapest either. 🙂 What would be a more suitable venue for such a large celebration than the most popular Mexican eatery in Budapest, called Iguana Bar & Grill in Zoltán Street in the 5th district. Since the beginning of 1998, the celebration of May 5 in style has become a tradition here, which, as far as I know, has grown to be one of the biggest European Cinco de Mayo festivals over the years.
This time of the year there is a lively Mexican fiesta where you can taste the finest Mexican beers, tequilas, Margaritas and grill specialties in the adjacent streets of the restaurant. The street party features live music and kids’ games during the day, and ends with dancing until dawn in an unforgettable mood. So why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Budapest on May 5, 2018!
Viva Mexico! Viva la Iguana!
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