Today, October 13, Mexico kicks off the 52nd edition of the International Cervantino Festival, the largest cultural celebration in Latin America. This year, Oaxaca and Brazil are the honored guests, promising 17 days filled with music, dance, theater, and academic activities in Guanajuato.
The festival showcases over 3,000 artists from 24 countries across 18 venues, featuring theatrical performances, visual arts exhibitions, and more. Mariana Aymerich Ordóñez, the festival's director, emphasized the cultural diversity on display, stating, 'In these 17 days, we encounter history that educates us, narratives that move us, and music that makes us dance.'
The festival began with a representation of the traditional Guelaguetza, a celebration that highlights the rich cultural heritage of Oaxaca, including its 16 indigenous communities and Afro-Mexican influences. The term 'guelaguetza' comes from the Zapotec word 'guendalezaa,' meaning 'offering' or 'present,' rooted in pre-Hispanic ceremonies of gratitude for harvests.
As the festival unfolds until October 27, it will also honor literary giants like Gabriel García Márquez and celebrate cultural icons from Brazil, making it a vital event for cultural exchange and appreciation.