Introduction
On Thursday, June 5th, the Mexican Presidency announced the recipients of the prestigious 2024 National Arts and Literature Award, recognizing the contributions of distinguished Mexican artists and scholars in various fields.
Award Recipients
Linguistics and Literature
Vicente Quirarte Casteñeda was honored for his extensive body of work encompassing fantasy literature, poetry, and drama. As a member of the Mexican Academy of Languages, Quirarte has made significant contributions to Mexican literature.
Fine Arts
Héctor Gerardo Tamez Domínguez, a musician, guitarist, arranger, composer, and educator, was recognized with the Bellas Artes Medal in 2018 for his exceptional work in music.
History, Social Sciences, and Philosophy
María Teresa Rojas Rabiela, an ethnologist and ethnohistorian, is a national emerita researcher, member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences, and part of the National System of Researchers at level III. Her expertise lies in the history of agriculture and hydraulics during pre-Hispanic times.
Leonardo López Luján, an INAH researcher and Templo Mayor Project director, is a member of El Colegio Nacional, the Mexican Academy of History, and the Real Academia de la Historia. Recently decorated by the French government as a Knight of the Legion of Honor, López Luján receives the same recognition his father, Alfredo López Austin, received posthumously in 2020.
Arts and Popular Traditions
Juana Bravo Lázaro, a textile artist and traditional cook from Michoacán, and Antolín Vázquez Valenzuela, a teacher and cultural disseminator from Sonora, were also honored for their contributions to preserving and promoting Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the 2024 National Arts and Literature Award winners? The recipients are Vicente Quirarte Casteñeda, Héctor Gerardo Tamez Domínguez, María Teresa Rojas Rabiela, Leonardo López Luján, Juana Bravo Lázaro, and Antolín Vázquez Valenzuela.
- What fields do these awards recognize? The awards celebrate excellence in Linguistics and Literature, Fine Arts, History, Social Sciences, Philosophy, and Arts and Popular Traditions.
- Who are the awardees and what are their contributions?
- Vicente Quirarte Casteñeda: A prominent poet, essayist, and writer associated with the Mexican Academy of Languages, known for his work in fantasy literature, poetry, and drama.
- Héctor Gerardo Tamez Domínguez: A distinguished musician, guitarist, arranger, composer, and educator recognized with the Bellas Artes Medal in 2018.
- María Teresa Rojas Rabiela: An ethnologist and ethnohistorian specializing in pre-Hispanic agriculture and hydraulics, a national emerita researcher, member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences, and part of the National System of Researchers at level III.
- Leonardo López Luján: An INAH researcher and Templo Mayor Project director, member of El Colegio Nacional, the Mexican Academy of History, and the Real Academia de la Historia, recently decorated by the French government as a Knight of the Legion of Honor.
- Juana Bravo Lázaro: A textile artist and traditional cook from Michoacán, preserving and promoting her state’s cultural heritage.
- Antolín Vázquez Valenzuela: A teacher and cultural disseminator from Sonora, contributing to the preservation and promotion of Mexico’s rich cultural traditions.
