Embassy of Mexico in Jordan Celebrates the 216th Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence with a Mexican Music Gala
Shahennews
The Embassy of Mexico in Jordan hosted its official commemoration of the 216th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence at the historic Odeon Theatre in Amman, with a Mexican Music Gala featuring María Luisa Tamez, mezzo-soprano, and Armando Merino, concert pianist, two of Mexico’s most distinguished artists of the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature.
The reception was attended by members of the Royal Family, including Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal and Princess Wijdan Al-Hashimi, as well as H.E. Dr. Nancy Namrouqa, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, representing the Jordanian Government. Senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom, representatives of the business community, university professors, media professionals, members of the Mexican community, and distinguished friends of Mexico in Jordan also attended the event.
The “Grito de Independencia” ceremony was presided over by Mr. Jacob Prado, Ambassador of Mexico to Jordan. The Mexican flag was presented to the Ambassador by children from the Mexican community in Amman.
The “Grito de Independencia,” or “Cry of Independence,” marks the beginning of Mexico’s War of Independence. In the early hours of 16 September 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla summoned the people of the town of Dolores to rise up against colonial rule, launching the movement for independence with his historic call.
Every year on the eve of Independence Day, Mexicans around the world come together to commemorate this historic moment and pay tribute to those who devoted their lives to Mexico’s freedom. The “Grito de Independencia” is celebrated throughout Mexico and by Mexican diplomatic and consular missions around the world.
This year, the Embassy in Jordan marked Mexico’s Independence with a Mexican Music Gala featuring renowned Mexican mezzo-soprano María Luisa Tamez, accompanied by acclaimed concert pianist Armando Merino.
María Luisa Tamez — Mezzo-Soprano
Born in Mexico City into a family of professional singers, María Luisa Tamez is one of Mexico’s most distinguished opera singers, with a career spanning more than 45 years. She has performed on major stages and concert halls across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, working with renowned international orchestras. After three decades as a lyric-spinto and dramatic soprano, she made a remarkable transition to mezzo-soprano, with Carmen becoming one of the defining roles of her career—a role she has performed more than 100 times. In 2025, she was awarded the Medalla Bellas Artes in Music, Mexico’s most important cultural distinction, in recognition of her outstanding artistic career and contribution to Mexican opera.
Armando Merino — Concert Pianist
Born in Mexico City, Armando Merino is one of Mexico’s most respected and active concert pianists. Throughout his distinguished career, he has performed as a soloist, with orchestras, alongside renowned singers, and as a member of chamber ensembles in Mexico, the United States, and France. He holds degrees from UNAM and the Manhattan School of Music and is currently a Full Professor at UNAM’s Faculty of Music and a member of the prestigious Concert Artists Group of INBAL. His commitment to Mexican music is also reflected in his acclaimed discography, which includes world-premiere recordings of works by some of Mexico’s most important composers.
The artists’ participation brought a distinguished musical dimension to the celebration, offering audiences in Jordan an opportunity to experience the richness of Mexico’s musical heritage through a program that brought together works from its popular and classical traditions.
The Embassy’s commemoration reflects its commitment to strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship and understanding between Mexico and Jordan, while fostering cultural exchange and promoting greater appreciation of Mexico’s history, heritage, arts, and cultural identity.
