Doha: The Embassy of Mexico in Doha celebrated Mexico’s 211th Independence Day in an unprecedented event with the kick-off its own countdown for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, for which thousands of Mexicans are expected to visit Qatar.
For the first time ever in Qatar, the Mexican Flag was illuminated on The Torch Doha and in the Sheraton Hotel’s façade on Thursday, while the Mexican community in Doha gathered in Aspire Zone overlooking The Torch Doha’s portrayal of Mexican flag.
“The magnificent Khalifa International Stadium, the imposing The Torch Doha and the Sheraton Hotel on the Corniche, are illuminated, for the very first time, with our national colours, as a generous tribute to Mexico and to the Mexican community living in Qatar. We receive this gesture of friendship from our host country with gratitude and humbleness. Thank you for such a precious gift,” said H E Graciela Gomez Garcia, Maxican Ambassador to Qatar.
She also announced symbolic countdown for the football world cup, while addressing the Mexican community.
“Next year, the eyes of the whole world will be on this beautiful country for the FIFA World Cup. We are anticipating that our national team will have a wonderful performance in the tournament and hence the importance that we are gathering tonight at the football epicentre of Qatar, the historic Khalifa International Stadium, amidst the true heart of 2022,” said Gómez.
“Starting tonight, the members of the Mexican community are warming up and kicking the countdown to the greatest football event in the world. On Mexico’s National Day and with 430 days to go, we send a welcoming message to the football fans in Mexico who are planning to visit us in 2022,” she added.
The Mexican Independence Day ceremony also featured a national flag hoisting ceremony and three folk dances bringing Mexican traditional fervour to the event.
“Living outside of our beloved Mexico and in cultural contexts different from ours, we experience our Mexicanness differently, and we cherish the few occasions in which we can gather to express with all our emotion the love and joy we feel for our country. Last year, the pandemic prevented us from getting together as a community and therefore, today’s celebration is even more special. A great opportunity to meet with our fellow nationals and to share our unique identity, full of values and traditions built and consolidated over time,” the ambassador said.
