By Paola Velasco
The Cervantino is the largest cultural festival in Latin America, and from October 12th through October 30th, it will celebrate its 50th year. Each year, a guest country and a guest state of Mexico is chosen. This year Korea and Mexico City were mselected.
At a press conference, the Secretary of Culture of the Government of Mexico, Alejandra Frausto Guerrero, stated: “The 50th festival will be an extraordinary celebration. The year 2022 marks 100 years of muralism, and 60 years of diplomatic relations with Korea, which is why we have selected that country. We will not only celebrate the cultural wealth and extraordinary, ancestral traditions of Korea but also the contemporary impact that appeals to the younger generations.”
There will be more than 2,500 artists from 33 countries, 159 artistic performances, and 90 activities in visual arts, cinema, and literature. There will also be an artists’ market. The overflow of cultural events and activities will go for 19 days. The venue is the city of Guanajuato, one of the most beautiful locations in Mexico. It is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and has proud roots to its mining past. Participants will walk along colorful alleys to go from one stage to another. Some venues, like Teatro Juárez will be closed, while others like the Esplanade of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas will be open. Continuing with tradition, artistic activities will take place on the streets and public squares.
This artistic event is sponsored by the federal government, bringing together different levels of government, as well as public and private institutions. It focuses on creating diverse programming at an affordable cost and 50 percent of the activities will be free.
Origin of the Cervantino
In 1953 in Guanajuato, Enrique Ruelas, a cultural promoter, staged the Entremeses Cervantinos. It was a tribute to the Spanish novelist and playwright Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, considered one of the greatest figures in Spanish literature. The goal of the event is to bring together the local community, artists and visitors in public settings where they can celebrate the universal cultural richness and the diversity of art.
For five decades, the Cervantino International Festival has been held in Guanajuato City every year. It is an imposing setting because of the city’s historical importance and architectural beauty. The city has two distinctions: in 1988 it was recognized as Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and in 2005 it was designated the Cervantes Capital of America.
The best of the best for 2022
– Taiwan group A Root. A global fusion ensemble that, since 2016, brings together instruments such as the sheng, ruan, liuqin, piano, double bass and percussion. The ensemble incorporates Taiwanese and Western instrumental music; and it creates soundscapes that cross musical cultures and geographical borders, combining jazz, indie and urban folk in a unique expression of world music between modern and traditional.
–Iranian musician Ahskan Moradi. As a child he learned to play the bowed string instrument, kamanche, with the renowned teacher Ahmad Morahemi. He was selected by the Fajr Music Festival as an extraordinary phenomenon in popular music.
– Nigerian musician Seun Kuti. He is the youngest son of Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti. He was born in 1983 and has been involved with music from the age of five. At age nine he was opening for his father’s concerts.
– Iranian director Sara Ahmadi. She is a renowned Iranian percussionist with more than twenty years of experience. She is the artistic director of the Persian music ensemble Kaliveh Music Band.
– Mexican actress Astrid Hadad. The actress, director and singer developed her very particular cabaret style, which she calls Heavy Nopal, mixing music of all genres with visual arts.
– Mexican caberet company Las Reinas Chulas (The Cool Queens). This company was founded in 1998 by Ana Francis Mor, Cecilia Sotres, Marisol Gasé and Nora Huerta.
– Korean group Coreyah. A Korean music and world music ensemble, consisting of three performers, a vocalist, a guitarist and a percussionist using traditional Korean instruments.
–From the United States, the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Under the vibrant leadership of the musical and artistic director, Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel, it presents an inspiring range of music through a commitment to foundational works and adventurous explorations. For information regarding the many more top-level shows and to purchase your tickets, please go to our Festival page at: https://festivalcervantino.gob.mx/ Tickets are quickly selling out.
