Mayela Sánchez, GPJ Mexico
Plaza de la Ciudadela is a public square in Mexico City, Mexico’s capital, where dancers move to Latin rhythms. Dancers often join classes for beginners just to enjoy the music.
WHAT: Dance to Latin rhythms in a public square.
WHERE: Plaza de la Ciudadela, in central Mexico City, the nation’s capital.
WHY: The sounds of Cuban danzón, salsa, the traditional Cuban “son” and its fast-paced derivative, son montuno, guide the steps of dozens of dancers in Plaza Morelos, which locals recognize as the Plaza de la Ciudadela.
Every Saturday, about four groups form in the plaza, each featuring a different Latin style. Amateur dancers can spend the afternoon moving to the beat of these rhythms.
Dance classes, including classes for beginners, are open to the public. The classes last roughly four hours, depending on the number of participants, although it’s not obligatory to stay the entire time. There is no fee to join a class, but donations are accepted.
There are no classes for dancers interested in learning Cuban son, but visitors can join in group events featuring this genre.
Visitors can stroll through the plaza and see the various dance groups before joining one, or enjoy the music while seated on a bench, under one of the many trees that adorn the plaza.
Because of its strategic location, a visit to Plaza de la Ciudadela can be the starting point for a tour of interesting spots in the area. Plaza de la Ciudadela’s name refers to the building that faces the plaza, La Ciudadela, or citadel. The building, constructed as a factory before the War of Independence, got its name after it was used as a military post during the war, which lasted from 1810 to 1821.
The building currently houses the Biblioteca de México “José Vasconcelos” library and the Centro de la Imagen, a photo gallery. On the other side of the plaza stands the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela, an artisanal market where visitors can find craftwork from various Mexican regions.
QUOTE: “In this place you find what you don’t find in other places. We come here to meet people. It’s a means of healthy enjoyment and expression of the most lovely, which is the dance.”
— Miguel Ramírez García, 86, a frequent dancer at Plaza de la Ciudadela.
DETAILS: Plaza de la Ciudadela is an approximately 25-minute walk from other well-known city sites, like the Zócalo, Paseo de la Reforma or Álvaro Obregón avenue.
Visitors can also take public transportation to Plaza de la Ciudadela. There is a Balderas stop on both the Metro and Metrobús systems.
Participants usually pay between 10 and 40 Mexican pesos (53 cents to $2.12) per session, instructors say.
Schedules vary for each dance group, but the dancing often occurs in the plaza between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Alfonso Serrano translated this article from Spanish.
