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Mexico City Congress Backs Declaration of Floral Portals as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Mexico City, October 10 – The Mexico City Congress has approved a Point of Agreement addressed to the Legal Counsel of the capital’s government and the local Secretariat of Culture. The agreement calls for the tradition of creating floral portals in the towns of Atlalilco and Axomulco, located in the Iztapalapa Mayor’s Office, to be declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of the capital.
The proposal, put forward by the PVEM Parliamentary Group on October 6, was presented by Deputy Rebeca Peralta León. Speaking on her own behalf and that of her parliamentary group, Deputy Peralta León introduced the Point of Agreement, which was subsequently endorsed by the Plenary. The initiative aims for the Legal Counsel and Services Secretariat of the capital’s government and the local Secretariat of Culture to carry out the necessary procedures for the issuance and publication of the decree for this declaration.
A Tradition Rooted in History and Community
From the tribune, the popular representative asserted that Iztapalapa is a fundamental part of Mexico City’s history and cultural identity. Its towns and neighborhoods are rich in traditions like the floral portals, which have been passed down through generations among the demarcation’s inhabitants.
“It is precisely in Atlalilco and Axomulco where an important tradition is preserved: the elaboration of floral portals. Their antecedents date back to the late 18th century and are linked to the pilgrimages these communities made to the Basilica of Guadalupe,” she recalled.
Deputy Peralta León explained that, over the years, this practice evolved into a cultural expression involving families, mayordomías (stewardships), and floral societies in Iztapalapa. “The elaboration of each portal requires knowledge of design, construction, assembly, and ornamentation; weeks of preparation, and community organization,” she emphasized.
Formal Recognition Process Underway
The pevemista legislator noted that the formal procedure to recognize this tradition as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the country’s capital began in 2025, and the dossier was submitted to the local Secretariat of Culture in July of this year. She added that on August 29, the Interinstitutional Commission for Cultural, Natural, and Biocultural Heritage gave its approval for its recognition. Subsequently, the floral societies that have contributed to preserving and transmitting this tradition were recognized.
“The institutions have already traveled an important part of the path; what remains now is to conclude and provide full legal certainty to a recognition that the communities of Atlalilco and Axomulco have built and preserved for generations,” she stated.
In this regard, she specified that only the issuance and publication of the decree are pending. Taking this step would be crucial for the corresponding declaration, which would not only have recognition value but also legal effects to guarantee the safeguarding of this cultural expression.
Finally, Congresswoman Rebeca Peralta affirmed that obtaining this recognition would strengthen actions to document, preserve, protect, promote, and transmit the elaboration of floral portals.
This move by the Mexico City Congress underscores the importance of preserving local traditions and cultural expressions that contribute to the unique identity of the capital.
