By Valerie Butrón, Co-founder, Tumbao Bilingual Books
The Guelaguetza is more than a festival. It’s an act of love, of legacy, and of community.
In Oaxaca, where this tradition originates, Guelaguetza is about showing up for one another, giving and receiving, not for recognition, but because that’s what strong communities do. My father-in-law, Angel Butrón, who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960s, lived that truth. He made it his mission to pass on the culture of his homeland to anyone willing to listen and learn.
When I married into his family, I was lucky enough to learn from him. He taught me about the languages, the Indigenous groups, the flavors, the values. He made sure our daughter knew where she came from. And together, we took family trips to Oaxaca, which are some of the most beautiful memories I carry. The Guelaguetza festival, with its colors and music and heart, left a lasting imprint on all of us.
That’s why Rita and I wrote, We’re Going to the Guelaguetza / Vamos a la Guelaguetza. And this July, we’re proud to reintroduce it in a beautiful new hardcover second edition.
The official 2025 Los Lunes del Cerro Guelaguetza celebrations will take place July 21 and 28. Leading up to those dates, we’ll be sharing resources, family memories, and ways to bring the spirit of the Guelaguetza into your classroom or home no matter where you are.
We believe that joy, culture, and connection should be shared widely. It is our honor to help more families and educators discover and respectfully celebrate this vibrant tradition.
Join us. Read with us. Celebrate with us.
Click the link below to purchase on Amazon.
We’re Going to the Guelaguetza / Vamos a la Guelaguetza
