Many are the things that twin Canada and Jalisco. Things that go beyond the solid commercial relationship, of transnational treaties and political agreements, economic aspirations and common concerns. We are joined by stories, roots and memories in the nearly 10 thousand Canadians “According to the embassy data,” That, by decision or by destiny, they inhabit permanently in our state.
We are joined by dreams and struggles in the Jalisco who, in a homologous way, have made life in Canada. What links us, then, not only responds to the economic and commercial; It is supported by deeper links, as are culture and arts. Proof of this is the presence of Canada as a guest of honor at the Mayo Cultural Festival (FCM) in Jaliscoevent that from 8 to 30 of the current month brings to Guadalajara the best of both nations, as an example of all those bridges that we are able to build, reach and sustain with the common link of art.
In an interview with The informantCanada’s ambassador to Mexico, Cameron Mackay, spoke about the participation of his country in the festival and how Canada brought the best of his repertoire for an event of this importance, and why Jalisco plays a relevant role, from culture, in relations between the two countries, already national level.
“Jalisco is the heart of Mexico,” says Ambassador Cameron Mackay, who was present at the inauguration of the FCM on May 8.
“It is food, people, art, architecture. We have very good relationships, there are many Canadians who live here. Jalisco, for us, is a very important state in Mexico. Our participation in the Mayo Cultural Festival highlights the deep ties of Canada with Jalisco, it is a bridge, and we are proud to share the quality and diversity of our culture. Culture is always an example of the desires of people. In the festival almost all Canadian provinces will be represented, but with a special space for Quebec, and I love to see what can be achieved when Canada, Mexico and Jalisco collaborate. There is a lot of potential to continue doing more here. There is a lot of potential to continue collaborating on cultural issues. ”
Although at the moment there are no cultural exchange programs between Jalisco and Canada, the ambassador commented that there can be no better reference in our artistic relationship than the Mayo Cultural Festival, highlighting the wide variety of exponents and disciplines that are present in Tapatías lands, as an unforgettable exhibition of what Canada has to offer in the field of culture and arts.
From dancers, plastic artists and photographers, large format facilities, musicians and experts in the arts of the circus, Canada brought the best of its repertoire to our lands. This was highlighted by the ambassador: “At the moment, the greatest example of a cultural exchange is our participation in this festival.”
“This year we have, for example, Canada artists in dance, music, immersive theater and also in the contemporary circus, which is something completely new. We are very focused, for the moment, in this festival, which excites us a lot.”
It should be noted that Canada has very present the role that, at the national level, Jalisco represents from culture. Not only from the most iconic aspects that are inevitably associated with the Mexican and by which the country is recognized in the world, but as a state that consciously encourages, seeks and promotes art with activities and events as important as the FCM. Given this panorama, the ambassador recognized this effort, positioning Jalisco as the cultural heart of the country.
“Obviously there is a lot of Mexican culture,” he says. “The mariachis, the tequila, the food, the people. The Canadians are surprised when they walk through the center, they love it. That is why we have about 10,000 people living here. But there is much more. The fact that every year they have a festival as important as this, and that every year they invite a different country, that every year they have an honor guest, it is a very important example of the cultural level that they have,”
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