Photo by Rich Thomaselli
Merida, Mexico, the first city to ever hold the title "American Capital of Culture" has become the first city to hold the honor twice. Merida will hold the title for 2017, nearly 20 years after it first earned the title-during the award's inaugural year-in 2000.
"This is a great opportunity to heighten our city's international profile," said Mayor Mauricio Vila Dosal. "Art and culture are two of the city's main pillars of the development. "
Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan and the tenth-oldest city in Mexico, was founded in 1542 on the ruins of the Mayan city of T'ho. The city, with a population of 800,000 people, is known for its archaeological treasures and cultural facilities. It is also home to several universities.
Vila Dosal said this award also represents a challenge to create new cultural spaces and to also represent the city's great diversity and traditions to the world.
Merida also recently became the first Mexican city to sign a Charter of Cultural Rights. The document, signed a few months ago, requires the city maintain a balance between tradition, innovation, mobility and universal access to cultural properties. It also recognizes cultural diversity through the principles of freedom, fairness and respect.
The official signing ceremony recognizing Merida as the American Capital of Culture for 2017 will be held in February 2017.
In tandem with the award, the city is planning a strong international promotional push, including a campaign on the Discovery Network in Latin America and the United States. The campaign will have a combined reach of 25 countries in the Americas and Europe and a potential audience of more than 300 million people.
Created in 1998, the American Capital of Culture aims to promote a better understanding between the peoples of the Americas, respecting their national and regional diversity, while also highlighting their common cultural heritage.
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