Mazatec artist Filogonio Naxín’s work has two constants: the preservation and promotion of indigenous culture and commentary on modern Mexico.
Stories by Leigh Thelmadatter
El Bajío: how a ‘simple cook’ created a globally renowned restaurant
Carmen Ramírez built the Mexico City restaurant El Bajío to its current global stature based on traditional recipes from Michoacán and Veracruz.
Taking inspiration from Tehuantepec, as Frida Kahlo did
Oaxaca’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and its abundant multiculturalism, served as the inspiration for the current exhibit at Mexico City’s Salon of Fine Arts.
Oaxaca artisans make their mark on new Louis Vuitton collection
A collection of trunks recently unveiled by famed French designer Louis Vuitton bear the distinctly fanciful imagery of artisans from Oaxaca communities.
Cumbre Tajín 2020 aims to reawaken pride in Veracruz’s Tontonac roots
Veracruz is set to celebrate its Totonac heritage with the 21st Cumbre Tajín, to take place in and near the El Tajín archeological zone in mid-March.
Though no fan of sculpture, critic denies smashing it to pieces
After an avant-garde sculpture shattered at an art fair in Mexico City Saturday, a controversial art critic was accused of intentionally breaking it.
Young harpist wins classical music award, will perform in New York
Harp player Erédira Yaretzi Morales of the state of México will have a solo at Carnegie Hall thanks to her win at the Golden Classical Music Awards.
Mexico City to become Electric Daisy-land later this month
Focusing on international DJs and dance producers, the Electric Daisy Carnival returns to Mexico City’s Hermanos Rodríguez racetrack in late February.
After protests, some unpaid artists get their due, and an apology
Following months of protests, an artists’ coalition met with the federal secretary of culture, who apologized and promised to improve government funding.
Huejotzingo Carnival a uniquely poblano blast from the past
In Huejotzingo, up to 12,000 of the town’s residents don costumes and grab muskets for a three-day reenactment of the Battle of Puebla.
Readers and writers will flock to San Miguel in February for annual festival
The expat haven named “Best Small City in the World” in 2018 by Conde Nast also hosts the largest, cross-cultural, bilingual literary event in the Americas.
Artist’s goal is to ‘paint’ all of Puerto Vallarta in tile
A largely self-taught mosaic artist has made her mark covering the walls and public spaces of the Pacific Coast resort city tile by tile.
It may not be Rio, but many Mexican communities celebrate Carnival
Mexico isn’t known for its Carnival although it is celebrated in one form or another in about 225 communities
New Fire ushers in Purépecha New Year in Michoacán
The Chinese aren’t the only ones with an early spring New Year. Mexico’s Purépecha people also celebrate a New Year’s tradition from the distant past.
Yucatán museum celebrates traditional clothing from all over Mexico
Thanks to the efforts of an American woman with Mexican roots, the city of Valladolid has a museum exclusively dedicated to traditional clothing.
The mysterious mummies of the Museo de El Carmen in Mexico City
Stories about their origin vary, but one thread in common is that their existence came to light when Zapatista troops found them during the revolution.
Celebrate the Year of the Rat next week in CDMX, Mexicali and Tijuana
One doesn’t have to travel to China or even the United States to experience the dawn of the Year of the Rat next week: it can be done right here in Mexico.
Danzón festival to bring 2,000 dancers to Acapulco this week
Acapulco will kick off the 10th national danzón demonstration on Thursday with over 2,000 dancers from 18 states.
Bag ban brings renewed interest in traditional bags at Mexico City market
Traditional reusable shopping bags seem to be making a comeback in Mexico City, where a ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect on January 1.
Artisanal toymakers resist competition from high-tech products
Despite decades of brutal competition from plastics and electronics, Mexico’s traditional handcrafted toys still manage to survive.
Chiapas farmer turned weaver heads to New York Fashion Week
In the small Tzotzil community of Aldama, weaving is strictly women’s work with men toiling in the fields. At least that used to be the case.
After beating record last year, Kings Day bread in Coahuila is just 1 km long
Saltillo, Coahuila, and Vizcaya University worked together Monday to make rosca de reyes, but they kept it small this year — to just a kilometer in length.
Nuevo León toy museum founder began collecting at age 5
He was just five years old when he started his toy collection. Sixty-eight years later, Uncle Temo has more than 6,000.
Morelos music and art festival celebrates in ‘hippie style’
Tickets are on sale now for for the eighth Carnaval Bahidorá international music and art festival, a “hippie style” event slated for February 14-16.
Youths learn to make guitars to help preserve traditional music of Veracruz
A fledgling program in Cosoleacaque teaches how to make the traditional guitars used to play music known as son jarocho.
