Inclusion of Forbidden Stanzas: Controversy Surrounding Mexican National Anthem in New Textbook

In “Multiple languages: strokes and words”, one of the new free textbooks and the one that corresponds to the first grade of primary school, there is a special section dedicated to the National Anthem (“Our identity”, p. 90) in which the feeling of belonging is addressed through the Patriotic Symbols.

The following three pages of said section include the complete lyrics of the Mexican National Anthem. It is known that some stanzas, written by Francisco González Bocanegra, were cut because they are dedicated to Agustín de Iturbide and Antonio López de Santa Anna. In 1984, the four-stanza version became official, which is the one that is performed today at institutional events.

Read also: Mexican Academy of Sciences proposes to review Free Textbooks

However, in this new textbook the forbidden stanzas of the National Anthem (IV and VII) have been included, just the ones that were cut:

(IV)

Of the immortal warrior of Zempoala

the terrible sword defends you,

and holds his invincible arm,

your sacred tricolor banner.

He will be from the happy Mexican

in peace and in war the caudillo.

because he knew his shine weapons

circling in the fields of honour.

(VII)

If you fight against an enemy host,

the warrior trunk summons us,

From Iturbi of the sacred flag, Mexicans, brave continue.

And to the faithful bridles they serve

expired carpet banners;

the laurels of triumph give shade

in front of the brave champion.***

The law (Article 191 and Article 192 of the Federal Penal Code) establishes that the national symbols (Flag, Coat of Arms and National Anthem) cannot be modified or treated improperly.

Anyone who improperly treats the Patriotic Symbols will receive a fine of up to ten thousand times the value of the Measurement and Update Unit (UMA). The current value of the UMA is 103.74 pesos, so the sanction could reach up to one million 37 thousand four hundred pesos.

2023-08-11 12:22:10
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