The tradition of the opening of the Dam is alive

The rain did not prevent the notes of the Waltz Over the Waves from being heard. The Governor gave the signal for the gates of the Dam to open

Guanajuato/Gto News

Governor of Guanajuato, Diego Sinhue Rodriguez Vallejo, led the ceremony for the opening of the gates of the Olla Dam, in the capital of Guanajuato.

As tradition marks and before thousands of people, the State Governor and the Mayor of Guanajuato City Alejandro Navarro, waved a white handkerchief at 1 pm, as a signal for the floodgates to let the water flow.

The roar of the waterfall was enlivened by the State Band, which played the notes of the waltz “Over the Waves” of the renowned Guanajuatense author Juventino Rosas.

Then, Governor Diego Sinhue toured Paseo de la Presa avenue and the Florencio Antillon Garden, where he met with the people who attended this event.

With this festivity Guanajuatenses thank the patron Saint John the Baptist, believing that he is responsible for sending rain for the June dates and thus being able to fill the dam for the opening.

This Cuevanense festival has its origins in 1741, when, faced with a shortage of water in the capital, authorities requested the viceroy Pedro Castro to build a dam on the “La Olla Grande” Ranch, on the outskirts of the town of Guanajuato; Eight years later its construction was completed.

Because it did not have filters or pipes, the gates were raised to empty the dam and allow the water to clean the river. The water fell in the form of a waterfall, which attracted the attention of the people who came to observe this event in amazement.

Every year, thousands of Guanajuatenses come to open the floodgates during the rainy season, which is why it has become a tradition in the town that takes place on the first Monday of the month of July and can be postponed if the rainy season has not been regular, as is the case this year.

Since June 24, 2013, through an official decree, the Festivals of San Juan, Presa de la Olla and San Ignacio de Loyola, are declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of the State of Guanajuato.