Introduction to Taxco and its Historical Significance
“A la esperanza pido engaños que alimenten mis deseos.” Juan Ruiz de Alarcón.
Dedicated to the people of Taxco and their beloved town, this text explores the resilience of Taxco amidst the challenges posed by crime organizations.
Taxco’s Rich History
Originally inhabited by Matlatzincas, Chontales, and Tlahuicas, Taxco flourished during the colonial period with baroque architecture and mining. It became a sanctuary for Jewish converts, including Luis de Carbajal y de la Cueva and his nephew, Luis de Carbajal, el mozo, a founder of Nuevo León, poet, mystic, and the first Jewish writer on the continent. Burned at the stake in December 1596, their legacy remains an essential part of Taxco’s history.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Taxco emerged as a prominent center for high-level artistic production, thanks to William Spratling, who revitalized Mexican platería and folk art. His efforts, along with muralism and the “Veinte siglos de arte mexicano” exhibition in New York (1940), strengthened cultural exchange and relations between Mexico and the United States.
Recent Challenges Faced by Taxco
Despite its rich history and beauty, Taxco has faced significant challenges. The town suffered from violence, extortion, and the negligence of its leaders, leading to business closures, school shutdowns, and hundreds of missing persons, many of whom remain unaccounted for.
The streets of Taxco still bear witness to these struggles, with families of the missing demanding justice and visibility for their loved ones. Though tourism has reportedly recovered to 50% of pre-crisis levels, the scars of violence and impunity remain.
Current Situation and Hope for the Future
According to taxi drivers and a local historian, the current mayor of Taxco has successfully curbed violence, with fewer illegal patrols and armed individuals observed at night.
A visit to Juan O’Gorman’s mural at the Posada de la Misión hotel offers a testament to Taxco’s resilience and aspirations. Created between 1955 and 1956, the mosaic masterpiece, using stones from Guerrero, serves as an ex voto dedicated to Cuauhtémoc. The artwork, blending Catholic retablo dynamics with the Mexican and Aztec flags, celebrates Taxco’s golden era and the longing for peace shared by all.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who was Juan Ruiz de Alarcón and why is he mentioned? Juan Ruiz de Alarcón was a Spanish playwright and poet. His quote, “A la esperanza pido engaños que alimenten mis deseos,” is used here to express the author’s hope for Taxco’s future amidst adversity.
- Q: What is the historical significance of Taxco? Taxco has a rich history, dating back to pre-Hispanic times. It was later influenced by colonial architecture, Jewish culture, and artistic movements like platería and muralism.
- Q: What challenges has Taxco faced recently? Taxco has grappled with violence, extortion, and government negligence, leading to business closures, school shutdowns, and numerous missing persons.
- Q: How is the current situation in Taxco? Despite past struggles, recent efforts by the mayor have curbed violence, offering hope for Taxco’s future.
