San Marcos,
29
September
2015
|
12:20 PM
America/Los_Angeles

20th Annual Guelaguetza Festival Brings Oaxacan Culture, Cuisine and Dance to North County, Oct. 4

Media Advisory by Margaret Chantung

The vibrant culture, cuisine, dance and communities of Oaxaca, Mexico, will be celebrated at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) during the Guelaguetza Festival on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Forum Plaza and in the University Student Union Amphitheater. Tickets are $8 per person but CSUSM students and children under 10 are free.

The CSUSM Guelaguetza Festival, modeled after the yearly festival held in Oaxaca each July, is the region’s original and largest of its kind. Now celebrating 20 years, the family-friendly event has been held at CSUSM since 2000 and today represents the collaborative effort of the Department of Anthropology and local Oaxacan indigenous community residents and organizations.

This year’s celebration will include a program featuring Oaxacan folkloric dance groups and musicians. Traditional foods, such as tlayudas (corn tortillas), pastries, candy and arts and crafts will be available for purchase. Proceeds will go toward event expenses and community based projects that aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the Oaxacan transnational community.

The event, which attracts thousands of community members each year, is sponsored by the Coalition of Indigenous Communities of Oaxaca (COCIO), a grassroots organization in North San Diego County made up of Mixtec, Zapotec, Chinantec, Trique, Mixe and other indigenous Oaxacan communities that have come together to support and celebrate Oaxacan culture as well as to support projects that benefit the Oaxacan community. The CSUSM Department of Anthropology has been working for over 20 years with Oaxacan indigenous communities as a way to reciprocate and deepen a long-standing and collaborative partnership with the community—a partnership that is intricately tied with the delivery of the department’s community based field courses.

What: 15th Annual Guelaguetza Festival

When: Sunday, Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: California State University San Marcos, Forum Plaza and University Student Union Amphitheater - 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos

Directions and Parking: Directions can be found at www.csusm.edu/guide. On-campus parking is complimentary in Lot C.

For more information call (619) 251-0404 or (760) 750-8567 or visit www.cocio.org.