Federación de Clubes Jaliscienses del Sur de California celebrated the seventh anniversary of its cultural event known as Semana Jalisco from July 23-26 in Los Angeles, California.

Given the importance of this federation in California, in attendance at this year’s festival were officials from the Government of the State of Jalisco, the University of Guadalajara, in addition to other figures from the private, government and educational sectors, members of clubs within the federation, not to mention dozens of Mexicans and Jalisco natives now living in Los Angeles County.

The program for Semana Jalisco included the following activities:

With the support of the Guadalajara International Film Festival and the University of Guadalajara at Los Angeles, the Mexican film A Day Without a Mexican (Un día sin mexicanos), directed by Sergio Arau, was shown at the Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles on July 23. Following this event, and at the same location, the Government of the State of Jalisco hosted a tasting of tequila, Mexico’s national drink.

On Friday, July 24, an exhibition of rebozos, the Mexican woman’s garment par excellence as well as the Señorita Jalisco Beauty Competition 2009-2010 were held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Entertainment for the competition was provided by Lorenzo Negrete, the grandson of Jorge Negrete, the musical ensemble Mariachi Monumental de América and the Ballet Folklórico Orgullo Mestizo.

The closing event, held on July 26, was a family get-together in Whittier Narrows Park which included a soccer tournament and a drawing contest for children.

Now more than ever, Federación de Clubes Jaliscienses del Sur de California, seeks to strengthen ties of brotherhood among all communities with origins in Jalisco now living in Los Angeles. From its founding in 1989, the federation has served as a bridge that unites Jalisco with the large family of Southern California residents who trace their roots back to this Mexican state.

The organization has worked for and supported the progress of some of California’s most disadvantaged immigrant groups. Its motto is “Working as a community,” a basic principle followed by immigrant communities the world over.