Profits from Guelaguetza Festival to Aid Recovery Efforts in Oaxaca

• Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara allocates Guelaguetza profits for hurricane recovery.
• Guelaguetza festival serves as a cultural cornerstone and funding source.
• Expected profits from the Mezcal Fair will also support recovery efforts.
• Hurricane Erick made landfall as a Category 3 storm, causing major damage.
• Authorities are working to restore services and aid affected homes.

Guelaguetza profits to support hurricane recovery efforts

In an effort to aid recovery from Hurricane Erick, Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara announced that all profits generated from this year’s Guelaguetza festival will be used for reconstructing areas devastated by the storm. The Guelaguetza festival, a vital Indigenous cultural event that runs throughout July, is considered a cornerstone of Oaxaca’s cultural identity. Jara made the announcement via social media on Friday, sharing details about the establishment of a Guelaguetza fund, emphasizing that ticket sales from the festival’s celebrated “Mondays on the Hill” would be directed towards hurricane recovery efforts.

Mezcal Fair profits to contribute alongside Guelaguetza

In addition to the anticipated 40 million pesos (around $2.1 million) from the Guelaguetza, Jara also revealed that profits from the upcoming Mezcal Fair, scheduled from July 18-29, will be channeled into this fund. The Mezcal Fair is expected to pull in 31 million pesos (approximately $1.6 million) and attract around 132,000 visitors. To be clear, while these funds are significant, Jara acknowledged that the rebuilding costs will likely surpass the sums gathered from these festivals, highlighting the extensive damage caused by the hurricane.

Hurricane Erick leaves lasting impact on communities

Hurricane Erick, which reached Category 4 strength before diminishing to a Category 3 at landfall on June 19, wreaked havoc on the western regions of Oaxaca. With winds reaching up to 125 mph, the storm resulted in landslides, flooding, and knocked out power to nearly 277,000 houses. Jara indicated that approximately 25% of the 10,000 homes in affected areas were completely destroyed, a tragic impact that further underscored the urgent need for recovery efforts. Despite the challenges, Jara praised the joint efforts of local, state, and federal officials, alongside community volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to restore essential services and distribute aid.

The Guelaguetza festival’s profits are being repurposed to help Oaxaca recover from Hurricane Erick, highlighting the importance of community support in rebuilding efforts. With additional funds from the Mezcal Fair also set aside for relief, the state hopes to address the severe damage caused by the storm. However, Governor Jara notes that the funds collected may not cover the total costs needed for reconstruction, emphasizing the scale of the devastation in the region.