31 Years Celebrating Mexico… and Counting!
Mexican Day Toronto 2025 | September 12–15 | Nathan Phillips Square 🇲🇽🇨🇦 Since 1994, Mexican Day Toronto has been the ultimate celebration of Mexican culture in Canada. What began as a modest gathering has grown into a landmark event—the largest Mexican fiesta in the country, uniting thousands of people to experience the magic, music, and mouthwatering flavors of Mexico in downtown Toronto. ✨ A Look Back: The Heart Behind the Fiesta The festival’s roots run deep, thanks to the vision of the ComitĂ© Organizador de Fiestas Patrias. As MarĂa Filanowski, Founder & Board Member, recalls: “More than 30 years ago, Consul General of Mexico in Toronto, Sergio Aguilera, invited all Mexican associations to join and celebrate together Mexican Independence Day. We were more than ten different organizers, among them Gilberto Hernández and MarĂa Esterva who had a farm where we met to get organized.” What started as a way for…
From Mexico to the World
Everyone knows that Mexico gave the world guacamole, tortillas, mariachi and pulque, to mention tequila and mezcal, but what other inventions and discoveries can be traced back to this North American country? Here are some of the most awesome things you had no idea Mexico gave the world, from the Mesoamerican peoples to the modern day. Pop Corn If you know how much Mexicans love their maize (corn), it makes sense that the Zapotec peoples would have been the brains behind everyone’s favourite cinema snack – pop corn (palomitas). Afterwards, it fell into the hands of Spanish conquistador Hernán CortĂ©s by way of the Aztecs. These popped kernels were known as momochtli. They were made in hot clay pots, and not in the microwave. Chewing Gum Another sweet surprise from Mexico is chewing gum. The Mayans were the original inventors, using sap from trees to create what is now known…
TIFF loves Mexican filmmakers
Lights, camera, action! When it comes to the world of film, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a big deal, and Mexican filmmakers and actors are making some serious waves. With their unique stories and vibrant styles, they’re bringing a slice of Mexico to the international stage, and it’s worth celebrating. Let’s dive into some of the most famous Mexican filmmakers and actors who have rocked TIFF over the years! First up, the one and only Guillermo del Toro! This guy is a master of blending fantasy with real-life emotions. Remember “The Shape of Water”? That enchanting tale of love between a woman and a creature took TIFF by storm. Del Toro’s quirky style and stunning visuals have a way of pulling viewers into his magical worlds. His presence at TIFF not only brought the spotlight to his film but also highlighted the importance of creativity in storytelling. Who…
The Heart Behind Canada’s Harvest
¡Gracias, Paisanos! Did you know that the apples in your pie, the berries in your smoothie, or the corn on your grill might have been picked by hardworking Mexican hands? It’s true—every year, thousands of Mexican agricultural workers play a vital role in keeping Canada’s farms thriving. These seasonal workers—our paisanos—are the unsung heroes of the Canadian agricultural industry. A Partnership Rooted in History The Mexico-Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) has been a cornerstone of this connection since 1974. This government-backed initiative allows Canadian farmers to hire Mexican workers during peak farming seasons, ensuring crops are planted, tended, and harvested on time. Since its inception, more than 530,000 contracts have been issued under SAWP, creating a long-standing bond between the two countries. More Than Just Work These workers bring much more than labor to the fields—they bring life, joy, and culture to the communities they join. Over the years,…
Guelaguetza: Culture, Color and Tradition
Photo: Diego Huerta Mexico is known for its vibrant culture, bursting with color, music, and spirited celebrations—but no place captures this essence quite like Oaxaca. Every July, the city of Oaxaca comes alive for one of the state’s most cherished celebrations: Guelaguetza, also known as Los Lunes del Cerro or Mondays on the Hill. It’s a spectacular gathering of the region’s 16 Indigenous groups, each bringing their own unique dances, music, and costumes to honor Centoetl, the corn goddess. The result? A breathtaking festival of unity, ancestry, and cultural pride. A Glimpse Into History Guelaguetza is more than just a party—it’s a tradition with roots that go back to pre-Hispanic times. Originally held to ask the gods for abundant harvests, the celebration was filled with rituals, offerings, and communal dancing. When the Spanish arrived and introduced Catholicism, the festival evolved to include Christian elements, particularly honoring the Virgin of Carmen.…