Mexico Showcases its World Heritage to Celebrate Independence
A photo-exhibition of images portraying the UNESCO World Heritage sites and practices of Mexico was opened at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, as part of the Mexico National Day celebrations in India
“Mexico in the World Heritage”, a collection of 45 photographs by Mexican photographer Adalberto Ríos Szalay is organized by the Embassy of Mexico in India, in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts
The photo-exhibition was inaugurated by H.E. Melba Pría, Ambassador of Mexico to India and Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, in the presence of Ms. Supriya Consul, Director Programmes, Kaladarsana, IGNCA, Ms. Ratan Kaul, Vice President, Indian Council of Human Relations (ICHR), Ms. Rashmi Sachdeva, Winner of Mrs. Universe 2016 contest, distinguished Ambassadors and guests of the diplomatic community, as well as photography and art enthusiasts.
Highlighting the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, (the world is one family), Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi pointed out the similarities in the photograph of the Mexican rock-paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco, with the pre-historic cave and temple paintings found in India.
Speaking on the significance of this unique exhibition, Ambassador Melba Pría commented, “What we want is to share with the Indian public this Mexican wealth, which not everyone has the opportunity to see. It is without a doubt a cultural exhibition, but also a tourist exhibition.”
The photographs by Adalberto Ríos Szalay, offer a glimpse into the rich architecture, art, people and culture of the country, as well as a series of natural and cultural spaces, including the beautiful Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán. The exhibition also depicts the Mexican gastronomy and mariachi music, which are listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
With an astounding diversity of natural and cultural heritage, Mexico is home to a total of 35 World Heritage Sites, considered by UNESCO to be of outstanding value to humanity. Mexico has the largest number of heritage sites in the American continent and the seventh largest in the world, just after India which has 37 sites listed.
The purpose of this photo-exhibition is to initiate creative dialogues between Mexico and India, and to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange on restoration, conservation, and promotion of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
The “Mexico in the World Heritage” exhibition, which is a part of a series of cultural activities being organized to commemorate the Mexico’s National Day in India, is on display at the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, Janpath, New Delhi from 27th August to 14th September 2018, and open to public 11:00 am to 7:00 pm daily (except Mondays).