Mexico celebrates the 700th anniversary of Tenochtitlan's founding, with public art, performances, and urban routes organized by authorities. This year's festivities focus on Indigenous heritage. Tenochtitlan symbolizes Mexico's pre-Hispanic past, influencing national identity as denoted by its representation on the flag. Although the founding date is debated, historians emphasize that various groups have existed in the region for over 2,000 years. Critics claim past commemorations manipulated history to fit a nationalistic agenda, which continues under current leadership, highlighting Indigenous contributions to Mexican identity.
"The Mexican state's identity has largely been Mexica-centric as part of traditional nationalistic views," says Federico Navarrete, an historian at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
"The date will always be debatable; historic precision is impossible," says Navarrete, adding that important groups coexisted in the region for more than 2,000 years.
Many argue that AMLO's 2021 commemoration manipulated history: "It was shaped by the political climate, aiming for an overly patriotic celebration conveniently coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Tenochtitlan's fall and the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence," says the historian Rodrigo Martínez.
Celebrations reflected AMLO's nationalist focus-continued now by President Claudia Sheinbaum-highlighting Mexico's Indigenous past.
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