Noticias
FICMaya 2017 invites reflection on the preservation of the planet
August 30, 2017The 6th International Festival of Mayan Culture proposes a celebration of dialogue, reflection and wisdom of the Maya. This edition will be held under the concept of Cosmogony and Preservation of the Planet, in the white city of Merida, Yucatan, from October 19 to November 5, 2017.
This year, the Department of Culture of the Government of the Republic, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH, for its acronym in Spanish) and the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA, for its acronym in Spanish), collaborate with the government of Yucatan to offer different and varied artistic, academic and festive programs related to the study and dissemination of Mayan culture, from antiquity to the present day.
At the official presentation of the program, held in the Manuel M. Ponce Hall of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, FICMaya will have three main themes: the Fifth Mayab Round Table, the World Conference on Cosmogony and Mythology of Thousand Years' Cultures in the Preservation of the Planet; and FICMaya for All, which includes artistic activities, pictorial exhibitions, Mexican and foreign artistic events.
It was also announced that Mexico City and Canada will be the state and country of honor, and regarding the academic part lectures, talks and round tables will be held.
Marcela Diez-Martínez Franco, general director of the International Cervantino Festival and Cultural Promotion and Festivals, said that it’s wonderful that Mexico has a meeting like FICMaya, which addresses the Mayan world as a main theme.
“Yucatan is a state with a tourist vocation, rich in history, archaeology, ecology and gastronomy, in which the heritage left by the Mayas, its first settlers, is carefully guarded”.
She said that with this festival, already a cultural reference in Mexico, the greatness of this civilization and its conception of the world is recognized, and whose study and diffusion not only refers to the past. She pointed out that her work is in favor of the recognition and preservation of this ancient culture.
The General Director of FICMaya, Jorge Esma Bazán, said that in its 6th edition the gathering tries to find answers and contribute with all those who have undertaken a worldwide crusade to return humanism to the human being and to preserve the planet's health.
“On this occasion, we propose to look with FICMaya in the mirror of space-time, both from the thousand-year point of view and the relativity that surprises us. We live in a changing reality at every moment, the festivals are a spiritual encouragement in the face of this reality... with the making of the festival, we are betting on the awareness of solidarity and the culture of peace ".
In his speech, he said that a cultural festival has three impulses: to open new horizons, preserve traditions and heritage, and open new tourist territories.
Diego Prieto, director general of INAH, said that FICMaya will include reflection, dialogue and research around the teachings, knowledge and capabilities of Mayan culture: cosmovision, cosmogony, and elements that point to the reflection on the preservation of the planet.
“It’s a great pride for INAH to accompany the festival in this edition, which since 2012 has been a privileged space for artistic, cultural and academic exchange, which has allowed us to broaden our knowledge and attract attention to issues of interest for the general public and for scholars of Mayan culture and peoples of yesterday and today”.
“We have to insist that the Maya are not a thing of the past but part of the present of Mexico, of the enormous Mesoamerican universe. The festival will certainly favor an ever deeper understanding of the fundamentals that support Mayan cultures,"he said.
The Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, Pierre Alarie, said that the presence of Canada at the Festival will provide an opportunity to showcase the values shared with Mexico, such as the environmental care, support for young people, respect for cultural diversity and the social inclusion. This year our commitment is with the indigenous peoples”, he added.
Programming
Around 25 nations will be present in FICMaya, whose 350 events will include local Mayan, Canadian and Mexican proposals, the Cervantino International Festival, Caribbean artists and Anhui Province, China.
The International Festival of Mayan Culture will begin artistic activities on Thursday, October 19 in the Historic Center of Merida with the opening concert of the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra "Armando Zayas" of Mexico City, which will offer the Mambo and Caribbean Rhythms Festival for Pérez Prado’s centenary.
Among the artists attending are: Armando Manzanero, Tania Libertad, Guadalupe Pineda, Karen Souza, Pixels, Mayté Martin, tenors and sopranos from the Palace of Fine Arts with the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra, Draupani Danza and music from India.
The International Cervantino Festival will feature proposals by Damián Rovner and Los Fundamentales (Argentina), L' lllusion, Théatre de marionnettes (Canada), Roseland Musical, Pinocchio (Spain), Anclair Ensamble, Les Fréres Cuelleurs (Canada), Natya Ballet Centre (India) and Le Nouveaux Cirque Francais, and Collectif Porte 27, Caída (France)
FICMaya will also have the following exhibitions: Ensayo museográfico Número 2, Carácter y Color by Cordelia Urueta, Acervos Artísticos de la nación en custodia de la SHCP, Manuel Pujol, Boris Viskin, La flor en la cultura mexicana, among others.
On the academic side, the activities will also begin on Thursday October 19 with the world conference "Cosmogony and ancient mythology in the face of the preservation of the planet", ending on October 23. Fifty speakers and specialists from academic institutions from countries such as Germany, the United States, Honduras, Russia, Guatemala and Mexico will participate.
The conference will consider a humanist dialogue of cultures and civilizations that will contribute to the understanding of the changing nature surrounding human beings and the planet.
“We are certain that valuable experiences and reflections will be contributed, which have to do fundamentally with the human being, the race, the peoples and the conscience”, said Esma Bazán.
The closing concert will be on November 5 with the performances of Merenglass and Charanga Habanera at the Paseo Verde.
“All this will happen in 432 hours with the participation of scientists, creators and artists, because the Maya of yesterday and today demand it. In FICMaya, art is not nature, it’s the supreme expression of human will. Culture is not a privilege, it’s a social right”, concluded the general director of the International Festival of Mayan Culture.
For further information please visit: http://www.ficmaya.com.mx/.
Mexico,Distrito Federal
