An Introduction to the Festival
Grupo Xcaret has announced the second edition of the Xcaret Festival of Mexican Popular Art, taking place from September 25 to 28 at Parque Xcaret. This cultural gathering will bring together leading and emerging artists in Mexican folk art, fostering a direct connection between artisans and both national and international audiences. The main goal is to promote cultural strengthening, shared prosperity, and a deep appreciation for Mexico’s rich heritage.
Artisans from Across Mexico
More than 140 artisans from 22 Mexican states will participate in the event, aiming to preserve traditional crafts and provide promotion for creators of unique, high-cultural-value pieces. Iliana Rodríguez, Grupo Xcaret’s Corporate Sustainability and Institutional Dialogue Director, emphasized the importance of sharing not just art but also the stories behind it during a press conference at Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City.
Last Year’s Impact
Rodríguez highlighted that the previous edition generated direct sales of 14 million pesos, benefiting artisans and their workshops. Thirty-five percent of these sales went to workshops led by women, indicating a strong presence of female artisans promoting the craft within their families and communities. The event also supported 2,577 individuals working in these workshops, with 70% having apprentices, ensuring the continuity of artistic traditions.
No Costs, Only Opportunities
The festival offers artisans the chance to showcase their work without stand fees or commissions. Housing, meals, and space are included in the invitation, making it an attractive opportunity for artisans to connect with potential buyers.
A Diverse Showcase of Techniques
Leticia Aguerrebere, the Festival’s General Director, announced that this year’s event will feature representatives from 22 Mexican states, including 60 Grand Master Artisans and 35.7% new talents not part of the previous edition. The festival will display various techniques, such as textiles (rebozos, bordados, etc.), ceramics (11 distinct branches), woodwork (6 techniques), and many others like jewelry, fibers, cartonería, chaquira wixárika, glasswork, popotillo, orfebrería, painting, amate, metalwork, leatherwork, stone work, and more.
Artisans as Cultural Bearers
During the festival, artisans shared insights about their techniques, knowledge, and reflections on the future of Mexican folk art. They acknowledged that although their work remains essential, support from programs and government recognition is still lacking. However, they remain hopeful due to various initiatives indicating the craft’s survival.
Eva Servín Morales: A Ceramist from Querétaro
Eva Servín Morales, a high-temperature ceramist from Villa del Progreso, Querétaro, expressed that artisans are custodians of knowledge and ancestral wisdom. She emphasized the importance of visibility for artisans, sharing how her workshop’s open-door policy allows visitors to witness the crafting process, fostering understanding and appreciation for their work.
A Cultural Program
Alongside the exhibition and sales, the festival will host a cultural program featuring talks with master artisans, live demonstrations, traditional clothing showcases, keynote speeches, and expert panels. This encourages dialogue among creators, designers, academics, collectors, and students.
Xcaret Competition: Recognizing Excellence
For the second consecutive year, the festival will conduct the “Xcaret, Yesterday and Today” national competition, honoring the best works in five categories: ceramics, textiles, woodwork, and other techniques. The top three in each category will receive cash prizes of $100,000, $80,000, and $60,000 pesos, respectively. Additionally, honorable mentions will receive $20,000 pesos. A new category inspired by the Virgen de Guadalupe will recognize the three most symbolic, devotional, and artistic pieces within Mexican folk art, open to any technique.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Xcaret Festival of Mexican Popular Art? It’s a cultural gathering celebrating and promoting Mexican folk art, featuring more than 140 artisans from 22 states.
- When and where does the festival take place? The event occurs from September 25 to 28 at Parque Xcaret.
- What are the festival’s goals? The festival aims to preserve traditional crafts, promote artisans, and foster cultural strengthening and shared prosperity.
- What techniques will be showcased? The festival will display various techniques, including textiles, ceramics, woodwork, and many others.
- What is the Xcaret Competition? It’s an annual event recognizing excellence in Mexican folk art across five categories, with new inspiration from the Virgen de Guadalupe this year.
