Mexico Fest began in 2008 as a celebration of the anniversary of Mexico’s Independence and has grown into the most important festival to be hosted by the Consulate of Mexico in British Columbia. Due to the growing interest the festival has attracted from the local community, MexicoFest has become a stronghold in the community. The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre has hosted Mexico Fest in 2010 and will continue in the upcoming year.
In 2011, Mexico Fest encompassed one week of activities, starting on September 9th and concluding on September 14th. In 2010, Mexico Fest events were featured on local English and Spanish TV, radio and newspapers. More than 15,000 people enjoyed the festivities, which reached more than 50,000 people. The Consulate General in coordination with CCIME Western Canada, the Mexican Tourism Board in Vancouver, and the Mexican Trade Commission collaborated for a cultural exchange and presence of Mexico with the local and international community of British Columbia.
Mexico Fest 2012 will again be hosted at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. Along with an artist exhibition featuring renowned Mexican Huichol Artists, the Learning Centre will be partnering with the Consulate General in Vancouver, Cultural, Academic & Media Affairs for a series of cultural and academic events at UBC.
Huichol Arts of Mexico at UBC on August 6 to September 17, 2012 at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Art Exhibition and Ike’s Cafe Gallery
Descendents of the Aztec, the Huichol number about 18,000, most of whom live in the sierra of Jalisco and Nayarit. Having withstood the Spanish Invasion, they strive to keep their culture alive and viable, despite the ever increasing physical and cultural encroachment of their Mexican neighbors. Peyote is a focal point for their ceremonies, and their colorful beadwork and yarnwork reflects a reverent and symbiotic relationship with nature. In western Mexico, spread throughout the Sierra Madre Occidental live the Huichol Indians, who are famous for their ancient religion which celebrates nature and specific animals, and their colorful folk art. The folk art of the Huichol Indians comes from their experiences with their animist religion, which widely incorporates the use of peyote and other hallucinogenic plants. The Huichol Indians are unique in Mexico for having preserved their tradition religion and folk arts despite the Spanish conquest and modern culture. Their original folk art consists of Huichol “paintings” with colorful string pressed into bee’s wax. These Huichol paintings have been popularized for tourists and now come both in string and colorful beads.
Portraits of Mexico / Weaving Beyond Mortality on Sept 1st – 16th Chinese Cultural Centre Museum of Greater Vancouver
This year’s art exhibit “Portraits of Mexico” will include Mexican and Canadian artists. Different types of art, such as watercolor paintings, digital, mix media, oil paintings, etc., will be featured. We will also feature Huichol art from Jalisco and Nayarit; including on site live art by Huichol artist: Mariano Valadez and pieces from artist José Benítez Sánchez, known in the Huichol language as Yucauye Cucame, or “Silent Walker”. José Benítez came to be recognized as an undisputed master of original dramatic compositions, and his knowledge of the culture was respected by scores of other specialists in this medium by 1971. He remains unsurpassed in the fertility and inventive.
The Last Christeros on Sept 5th Mexican Cinema at Empire Granville 7 Cinemas
In collaboration with the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (VLAFF) we will present the Mexican film: “The Last Christeros”, where the final days of a band of 1930s Christian rebels in the central Mexican wilderness are depicted with majestic stoicism in Matías Meyer’s elegant ode to independence.
Mexi-Go! Travel and Trade Expo on Sept 7th – 8th Vancouver Convention Centre
In partnership with Mexi-Go! we are bringing the first travel and trade expo of its kind in Canada. This trade show will bring Mexican and Canadian businesses together in a two-day Expo that will promote Mexico in Canada.
Independencia Gala Dinner on September 7, 2012 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
This year’s coveted Independencia Gala Dinner promises to be a night to remember. With a Mexican orchestra, dance floor and mariachi; guests will feel like they are in an elegant yet traditional party in Mexico. We are expecting over 400 people to attend.
Fiesta Mexico Independence 2012 on September 8, 2012 at Jack Poole Plaza, New Vancouver Convention Centre
The Fiesta Mexico Independence 2012 is the biggest event taking place during the MexicoFest. This event has activities for everybody and it is open to the general public. Activities include: kids zone, Mexican food vendors, live music, traditional Mexican dances, businesses’ booths, cultural pavilions and more.
For this year’s Fiesta Mexico Independence we are bringing from Monterrey, Mexico “Los Claxons”; a Mexican pop and alternative rock band who was nominated for the Latin Grammy in 2010 for best duo/group album. Los Claxons have released 4 albums since 2006, and have opened for groups such as Maroon 5. We expect over 10,000 people to attend this event.
Partners
For more information, please contact Allan Cho
