The Magical Town of Xilitla, in San Luis Potosí, added a new chapter to its history by officially obtaining a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest huapango dance. The recognition was achieved during the 48-Hour Huapango Festival, where more than 500 people simultaneously performed this traditional dance on a stage in an organized and synchronized manner.
The world record was reached as part of the eighteenth anniversary of the Domingos de Huapango program, a celebration that brought together dancers from different parts of the country to pay homage to one of the most representative cultural expressions of the Huasteca region.
The Secretary of Tourism for the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, congratulated Xilitla on this achievement and emphasized that Mexican traditions have the power to unite entire communities and showcase the country’s cultural richness to the world. She noted that the diversity, identity, and vibrant expressions of each region are among the elements that make Mexico an attractive destination for national and international visitors.
The certification was validated by Alfredo Arista, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records in Latin America, who confirmed that the municipality far exceeded the minimum number of 468 couples required to establish a new world record. In total, more than 500 randomly selected dancers participated, all meeting the technical criteria established by the organization.
To obtain the record, participants had to perform the huapango in sync for more than five minutes, without interruptions and without altering the collective choreography. In addition, each couple had to wear traditional Huastec attire, including hats, boots, and typical clothing from the region.
The event also stood out for the large number of participants from San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Querétaro, Hidalgo, the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Nuevo León, Veracruz, and Puebla. Visitors from the United States and Canada also joined the celebration. In total, more than three thousand people registered to participate in the cultural activities held in Xilitla.
For her part, the Secretary of Tourism of San Luis Potosí, Yolanda Josefina Cepeda Echavarría, stated that this result was made possible thanks to the collaborative work between authorities and the community. She added that the huapango represents a symbol of identity, pride, and belonging for the Huasteca region, and that this international recognition strengthens the state’s cultural and tourism promotion.
In addition to the record, the event solidifies Xilitla as one of the main meeting points for Huastec folklore. Recognized for its natural, artistic, and cultural richness, the municipality now adds a new attraction that reinforces its presence on the international tourism stage.
With this achievement, the huapango not only obtained a world record, but also became a testament to the cultural value that keeps the identity of the Huasteca alive and projects Mexican traditions beyond the country’s borders.
Source: cronica
