Monterrey Forum billed as ‘extreme cultural tourism’
MONTERREY, N.L., Mexico — It’s not every day that you are able to see exhibitions of ancient Egyptian and Mexican artifacts and the lion’s share of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s work at the same event.
But when you include 16 other exhibits that feature more than 8,000 artifacts — as well as scores of concerts, cultural discussions and other events from around the world — you end up with the Universal Forum of Cultures, an 80-day event so big it is practically impossible to mention all it features at once.
“Technically, if you came every day for 80 days, you’d have to look at 100 pieces a day to see all of (the artifacts),” said Forum spokesman Robert Morris. “It’s extreme cultural tourism.”
After kicking off Thursday at Parque Fundidora — a park converted from a massive industrial steel furnace — organizers hope the Forum will raise awareness of the world’s culture.
First held in Barcelona, Spain, in 2004, the Forum is intended to foster discussion and debate about international affairs, Morris said.
Most events will continue until Dec. 8, are open to the public and are free of charge, he said. Organizers estimate the Forum will attract more than 1.7 million visitors.
Events fall into three categories: dialogues, cultural expressions and exhibits, Morris said.
Highlighting the 18 exhibits is the 350-work “Isis and the Feathered Serpent,” which features actual artifacts from ancient Egypt and Mexico, he said.
“This is the first time that such an archaeological exhibit has been presented anywhere in the world,” he said.
The Monterrey event marks the first time ever that the Egyptian pieces have left their home country, according to Morris. In addition, artifacts relating to the ancient Aztec god Quetzalcoatl will be featured. The exhibit is set to remain on display until Jan. 15, more than a month after the Forum is scheduled to end.
Also featured is the work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, in honor of what would be her 100th birthday. The works are on display at Monterrey’s Contemporary Art Museum.
In addition, 150 works from the Capital Museum in Beijing that illustrate Buddhism as a religion and philosophy are on display.
The Forum’s dialogues are scheduled to take place from Sept. 25 to Nov. 20, focusing on global peace, spirituality, education, resources, health and more.
The University of Texas-Pan American organized two bus trips to the Forum for students, faculty and anyone in the community interested in checking out the attractions, but tickets have been selling quickly.
Maria Salazar-Muller, director of international programs at UTPA, said the event is a golden opportunity for everyone in the Valley.
“This is an opportunity for us to see all the world’s cultures in one place,” she said.
Salazar-Muller said space still remains for UTPA’s second trip to the event, scheduled for Oct. 27-28.
For information about the University of Texas-Pan American’s Oct. 27-28 bus trip to the Universal Forum of Cultures in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico, call the college’s Office of International Programs at (956) 381-3572 or e-mail the office at intlcenter@panam.edu. The cost is $80 per person and includes roundtrip transportation from the UTPA campus to Monterrey and a one-night hotel stay.
