Introduction to the Museo Vivo del Muralismo (MVM)
The Museo Vivo del Muralismo (MVM), located in the historic premises of the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), is commemorating its first anniversary with a diverse and meaningful program titled “A Year of Celebration Among Murals.” This announcement was made by Mario Delgado Carrillo, the head of SEP.
About Mario Delgado Carrillo
Mario Delgado Carrillo is a prominent Mexican politician and the current National President of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). His role as the head of SEP makes him instrumental in overseeing cultural institutions like the MVM, highlighting his significance in this announcement.
First Anniversary Celebration Details
The celebrations will take place from September 20 to October 5, featuring various activities such as conferences, concerts, storytelling sessions, and interactive games. These events underscore the MVM’s commitment to art, education, and community identity building.
Key Events
- September 24: The ninth edition of Noches de Museos will feature a presentation by the Breath Orchestra and the Guardia Nacional Mariachi in the iconic Iberoamerican Hall. A thematic guided tour, “Pencil, Brush, and Pixels: A Journey Through Literacy,” will also be held, encouraging reflection on diverse learning and teaching methods through mural art.
- September 20: The first anniversary celebration kicks off with a conference titled “Tina Modotti, a Woman of the 21st Century,” in collaboration with the Fondo de Cultura Económica and featuring Ángel de la Calle, Denise Hellion, and Veka Duncan.
- September 21: A conference titled “The Photographic Gaze, Novel Discussion, Camera, and Tina Modotti” will take place with writer Marina Azahua and artist Carolina Estrada.
- September 27-28: Activities include children’s workshops, a special Nahuatl lottery, Jazz Book presentation with live reading and music, Orquesta Femenil de Guitarras Sencuicati performance, and storytelling by Capitán Sztajnszrajber.
- October 4: An encounter of storytellers and a son jarocho concert with Conspiración de Zaragoza will be held.
- October 5: The celebration concludes with a performance by the SEP Workers’ Choir, Voces en el Viento, and a treasure hunt as a fun activity.
Historical Significance of the MVM Location
The building that now houses the MVM was the site of José Vasconcelos’ inaugural speech on July 9, 1922. Vasconcelos, the then-Secretary of Education, envisioned a nationalistic, expansive, and solid space built with Mexican hands and ideas. He emphasized the importance of artistic allocation on the building’s walls, initiating the muralist tradition that would eventually include works by Diego Rivera, Roberto Montenegro, Manuel Centurión, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Luis Nishizawa, Manuel Felguérez, Jean Charlot, Amado de la Cueva, and María Izquierdo.
Today, the MVM preserves over 3,139 square meters of frescoes depicting crucial episodes in Mexico’s history and educational system. The museum has revitalized the historic building at República de Argentina 28 in the Centro Histórico, fostering art, memory, diversity, and education through its walls.
Impact of the MVM
In its first year, the MVM has provided a platform for indigenous languages, music, debates, and reflections, weaving community bonds and keeping the muralism legacy alive as a powerful educational tool.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Mario Delgado Carrillo? A: Mario Delgado Carrillo is a prominent Mexican politician and the current National President of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
- Q: What is the Museo Vivo del Muralismo (MVM)? A: The MVM is a cultural institution dedicated to art, education, and community identity building, located in the historic SEP premises.
- Q: What events are part of the MVM’s first anniversary celebration? A: The celebration includes conferences, concerts, storytelling sessions, and interactive games from September 20 to October 5.
- Q: Why is the MVM’s location historically significant? A: The building was the site of José Vasconcelos’ inaugural speech in 1922, where he envisioned a nationalistic and expansive educational space with artistic allocations on its walls.
