Like every September, the route from Reforma to the capital's Zócalo has been painted green, white and red. For 15 days, artisans and merchants will sell thousands of items on the pretext of the anniversary of Independence. Flags, fake mustaches, bows, trumpets, rattles and hats appear again and again on Juarez Avenue in a tricolor display of epic proportions. But where did all these carts of Mexican decorations come from?
Long live the trolleys that gave us patriotic paraphernalia
They are not only on Juárez Avenue, but also along 16 de Septiembre and Eje Central at Salto del Agua. There are hundreds of carts offering more or less similar products. Many believe that they are Chinese merchandise. In reality, they come from the artisan hands of San Pedro Totoltepec and Santa Ana Jilotzingo, in the State of Mexico. It is precisely the unfair competition, encouraged by Asian importers, which has ended up undermining an entire generational business. "If I sell you a flag for 60 pesos, they give it to you for 30, practically half the price," Don Manuel says with some indignation. His family, like all those in his community, is dedicated to the manufacture and sale of patriotic paraphernalia. However, Don Manuel assures that the quality is not even close to the same.
To assemble a single flag by hand, the collaboration of at least four people is required. One measures and cuts the fabric, another sews the tricolor pieces, another prints the national coat of arms and the last one polishes the finishing touches. Imported flags, on the other hand, are made of a single painted piece. Unlike the imported flags, the domestically manufactured ones can withstand the sun and water without deteriorating.
Each workshop manufactures several thousand flags per season. There are 14 sizes, ranging from the small and shy ones that adorn desks to the colossal ones that hang from the facades of buildings. Prices range from 10 to 350 pesos.
Tricolor tide
Luis' mobile stand is located almost on the corner of 16 de Septiembre and Isabel la Católica. He assures that "he earns more by "ranchereando", that is, selling while walking. However, this dynamic is prohibited by the Subsecretaría de Programas de Alcaldías y Ordenamiento de Vía Pública (SPAOVP). It is this instance of the SEGOB that grants permits, distributes locations and permanently supervises compliance with what is established. "In each street there is a leader who organizes and supports us in the sale," explains Luis. "If something is needed, he runs to another stall to bring what is necessary. He also makes sure that we are all working in the right place. Even so, the merchants on Juárez Avenue consider that the space is insufficient. For this reason, they have asked the government to let them advance to the Zócalo.
To avoid an overflow of street commerce, authorities restrict the number of carts to two per block. In addition, they are not allowed on Metrobus route 4, as well as on Francisco I. Madero, Eje Central from Madero to Donceles, Tacuba from Bolivar to Eje Central and the Alameda. Vehicular streams, corners and crosswalks are also penalized.
When asked about his best-selling item, Luis can't decide. On the one hand, there are those that serve to decorate homes, schools and offices, such as flags and garlands. On the other hand, there are those that help to characterize oneself as dictated by the manual of the good Mexican, that is, mustaches, jorongos, hats, bows and shawls. What is certain is that, at the end of this two-week marathon, he and his neighbors will have raised enough capital. That money will allow them to provide for an entire community. They will prepare for eight months before returning and continuing to celebrate the Independence Day celebrations.
