Mariachis from around the world take part in International Mariachi Festival

Mariachis from all over the world gathered in the Mexican city of Guadalajara on Sunday to take part in the annual International Mariachi festival.Performers played music, danced and sang as they paraded through the city to celebrate Mexico's much loved musical tradition of mariachi.


The music is recognised around the world as the first truly Mexican music genre and has been kept alive by families that in some cases have been playing in the same mariachi bands for more than a century.......



Crowds lined along the street were also treated to displays of horsemanship by "Charros", as traditional Mexican cowboys are known.

"We have to teach all generations, from children to elders, to love our Mexican music, to listen to it with pride and also to wear proudly and respectfully the Charro suit," said Noe Mora, a spokesman for the festival.

The festival was created in 1993 and is organised by the Jalisco National Chamber of Commerce and the Jalisco government.