The 20th annual Festival of Mexico in the Historic Center
(“Festival de Mexico en El Centro Historico”) will bring artists
and performers from around the world to Mexico City March 13-28 for
what is often described as Latin America’s most vibrant
celebrations of art and culture.
Created in 1985 as a non-profit organization, the Festival of
Mexico this year will include more than 100 events in the historic
venues throughout the city center. Performances will include opera,
chamber and symphonic music, jazz, folk and pop concerts, theater,
dance and gourmet dining.
More than 1 million are expected to attend festival
performances, which this year will include such headliners as jazz
great Wynton Marsalis, the Lincoln Center Jazz, the St. Petersburg
String Quartet and John Zorn. Experts come to give conferences or
lectures, authors and poets share their work and classes are
available to encourage local talent.
The festival also includes children’s activities, museum tours,
arts-and-craft activities and games. And the event showcases the
magnificent architecture of the historic center, with its forgotten
courtyards, churches, plazas and temples serving as a backdrop for
the festivities.
Proceeds from the festival will go to the rescue and restoration
of the city’s historic center, which was declared a World Heritage
site by UNESCO in 1987, as well as supporting a variety of
children’s causes, such as UNICEF, and an organization to aid
Mexico City’s homeless and underprivileged children.
The festival is sponsored in part by private donors, the
government of Mexico City, and the National Council of Arts and
Culture.
The five-star Gran Melia Mexico Reforma (www.solmelia.com), on
Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma, was chosen to house visiting
artists and performers. A member of The Leading Hotels of the
World, the 489-room Gran Melia offers luxury accommodations near
the historic center, as well as convention and spa services.
www.fchmexico.com
