Tepito: Barrio de Resistencia

One of the most conflictive and at the same time representative and emblematic neighborhoods of urban culture in Mexico City is precisely Tepito. This cultural richness and diversity has been highlighted by writers, filmmakers, theater directors, photographers, painters and musicians from Mexico and abroad. Its reputation of being a "barrio bravo" is due to the unquestionable strength of its people to fight against marginalization, adversity and poverty.

One of the first facts that call our attention is that on the corner of Tenochtitlán and Constancia is located the temple of the Immaculate Conception where dozens of Tepiteños on August 13 commemorate the apprehension of Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec king.

Tepito's fame is also due to great boxing figures, among them the Mexican idols: Raúl "El Ratón" Macías; Ricardo Moreno "El Pajarito"; José Medel "El Huitlacoche" and Rubén Olivares "El Púas". The emblematic place for the training of these boxers was the "Gimnasio Gloria".

Tepito has been called the capital of piracy and fayuca. In Mexico, "fayuca" is the name given to contraband, that is, the import and export of goods without paying the customs duties to which they are legally subject. Most of these products come from China. The term "piracy" covers the reproduction and distribution of copies of copyrighted works. All these products of poor quality and very low prices are distributed and sold illegally in the famous Tepito markets. Finally, we could not talk about this emblematic neighborhood without mentioning Rafael Gonzalez's Calzado Pachuco or Zapatería Chivata. These places offer custom-made shoes for those who enjoy ballroom dancing. The creativity and originality of their designs are part of the visual culture of the ballrooms in downtown Mexico City.

Tepito-Barrio de Resistencia is precisely an intimate sonic journey to these places, the worn out neighborhoods that show the trace of their strength and history, their altars in the streets, the "fayuca" and the urban folklore of their markets, the creativity of their people in their way of dressing and speaking, suggest a music on one hand full of nostalgia and expressiveness and on the other hand the deliberate search for an ironic identity that has its roots in this counterculture full of codes, intonations and rhythmic strength. It is divided into five parts that are played continuously: 1-Altares; 2-Fayuca; 3- Vecindades; 4-Calzado Pachuco and 5-Gimnasio Gloria.

The piece is dedicated to the memory of composer, fellow student and colleague Armando Luna Ponce (1964-2015) who passed away one day after finishing this work. Armando's music was always fun, eclectic and playful, full of urban references and codes that share precisely with this musical creative process.

Tepito-Barrio de Resistencia was commissioned by the Californian ensemble The Bernal Hill Players for the "Neighborhoods of Mexico City" project.

— Gabriela Ortiz