Guadalajara (Mexico), Sep 5 (IANS/EFE): A total of 457 Mexicans have set a Guinness record for the largest folk dance performance in the world in the western Mexican city of Guadalajara.

In front of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Cathedral, dancers performed for 10 minutes to typical Mexican songs like "Guadalajara", "El Jarabe Tapatio" (The Guadalajara Jarabe Dance), and "El Son de la Negra" (The Dark Girl's Music), a combination that got them into the Guinness Book of Records.

Mike Jenella, representative of the Guinness organization, certified the participation of the dancers who filled the Plaza Liberacion with their colorful costumes and joyous rhythms to the delight of a huge crowd.

The melodies were played by more than 300 mariachi musicians from Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and the US who took part in the international conference that ends Saturday.

Miguel Alfaro, president of the city's chamber of commerce that organised the event, said that this was the best way to promote Mexican culture.

"It's the way for the world to get to know our traditions - mariachi music, tequila and our folklore," he said.

Alfaro also announced that next attempt will be made to set a record for the greatest number of people drinking tequila simultaneously.