This new entry in the series we’re publishing on theĀ bicentennial of the independence of the New World republics is going to discuss theĀ Independence of Mexico from a point of view that affects Basques, greatly.Ā This, in itself, makes it greatly interesting.Ā But this entry has a special value for other, powerful reasons.
It’s still September15, 2021.Ā In a few hours, theĀ Grito de DoloresĀ will begin, markingĀ Mexico’s Independence Day.Ā In 1821, exactly 200 years ago, the first independent Mexican government, a provisional Governing Body made up of Vicente Guerrero, Guadalupe Victoria, and AgustĆn de Iturbide (who we’ve already spoken of on the blog), declared September 16 as the national holiday.
They did so in memory of another very historic day, the Cry of Dolores, which is considered the event that marked the beginning of Mexico’s independence process.Ā According to tradition, in the early morning of September 16, 1810, when FatherĀ Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, alongside Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama, rang the church bell and gave the call to arms to his faithful.
One contribution from the San Ignacio de Loyola-VizcaĆnas School
The fact that today’s entry’s publication date matches is not a coincidence nor was it actually our choice.Ā It was two Mexican intellectuals and scholars at the Colegio de San Ignacio de Loyola – VizcaĆnas School who made it possible.
Both work in two centers that belong to the Colegio de San Ignacio de Loyola-VizcaĆnas School, which was founded by Basques in the 18th century via theĀ Guild of Our Lady of Aranzazu of Mexico, which we’ve spoken of many times (at the end of this entry, readers can find references to the articles we’ve written about this Basque work that has ended up becoming the oldest active Basque institution in the world outside of our homeland (except the Society of Jesus)).
Patio at the Colegio de San Ignacio de Loyola – VizcaĆnas School
Thanks to their profound knowledge of this Basque institution in Mexico, and their kindness, we can share with our readers two videos, each of which comes from the perspective of the institution they run, in which the Mexican independence process is analyzed from its beginnings in the early morning of September 16, 1810 to its culmination with the signing of theĀ Treaties of CordobaĀ on August 24, 1821 by AgustĆn de Iturbide, commander of the Mexican army fighting for independence, and by Juan O’DonojĆŗ, chief political leader (“jefe polĆtico superior”, a viceroy in all but name) of the Province of New Spain, representing the Kingdom of Spain.
Part of our contribution to the Day of the Basque Diaspora
The Colegio de las VizcaĆnas during the independence process
In these two videos, both researchers, Dr. Ana Rita Valero de GarcĆa LascurĆ”in and Dr. Lizzeth Armenta, explain to us, from the points of view of the institution each runs, what this school experienced and went through during that independence process.Ā But they go even deeper, sharing what the people, the students and teachers, went through.Ā One of those students was one of Mexico’s greatest heroines of independence, Josefa Ortiz de DomĆnguez.
It’s an amazing journey through a part of our history that is also a part of the history of Mexico, and of the world.Ā As we so often say, we never cease to be amazed at how such a small people has been able to leave such a profound and lasting mark on the world.Ā And this school, its founding and its present, is such amazing proof of that.
We couldn’t finish these introductory words without againĀ thanking the Archives and the Museum of the VizcaĆnas, and their directors, for the kindness they showed us when preparing these two amazing videos.Ā Nor can we leave without highlighting the spirit of those Basque founders, merchants, and businessmen that is still felt at that school.Ā We’re sure it’s felt in many different ways, but perhaps the most notable is in the care with which the documents and objects have been treated for more than two and a half centuries.Ā That has meant the archives and the museum can today be open as sources of top-level historical and scientific information.
We recommend “taking” a stroll through the Facebook pages of theĀ Archive and the Museum.Ā They’re full of amazing gems of our history.
Independencia in the VizcaĆnas school: a brief look at the other side of History.Ā From the Historical Archives.
Ana Rita Valero, director of the Historical Archives at the VizcaĆnas School
Mexican National Independence, remnants at the VizcaĆnas Museum
Lizzet Armenta, curator of the Museum of the VizcaĆnas
With a degree in restoration de the ENCRyM at the INAH and a Master’s in Art Studies from the Ibero-American University.
She has worked as a professional restorer at the National Chapultepec Castle History Museum, the National Anthropology Museum, and the El Carmen Museum. Since 2019, she is the curator of the Museum at the Colegio de San Ignacio de Loyola VizcaĆnas School. Her research has focused on museum documentation procedures as well as a tool for preserving knowledge about the materials and techniques of the art.