In the month of June an impressive delegation of Mexican luminaries landed in Europe, embarking on a promotion tour spreading Mexican culture, food , music, and dance across northern Italy.  Mexico Week in Veneto included various food, wine and culture events during the week of June 4 – 10, in multiple cities, filling the streets of Italy with the magic of Mexico and promoting its allure in front of over 40,000 people.  The trip was sponsored by Tierra Viva, a non-profit association from the region of San Juan de los Lagos in the state of Jalisco, Confraternita del Bavarolo, an Italian wine and culinary association, and the State of Guerrero, with the mission to foster cultural exchange between Italy and Mexico.   The colorful delegation included folkloric ballet, choir and mariachis from Tec de Monterrey in Guadalajara, a traditional Mexican chef from Zihuatanejo, Gabriela Pasquel, a virtuoso Contra tenor singer from San Juan de los Lagos, Cesar Tafoya, and Mexican fashion designers Fatima Guzman and Garbi Araiz, among others.

 

The week began with an official welcome in the offices of Mayor of Rovigo, Bruno Piva, where the entire group was graciously received by hosts and sponsors Ugo Fiocchi, and Giancarlo Checchinato, of the Confraternita de Bavarolo, followed by a grand welcome dinner in Trattoria Al Ponte de  Lucia, a beautiful restaurant more than 150 years old, showcasing a great selection of fresh local cuisine.   The following days included a dinner and fashion show of modern Mexican design and traditional dresses from the state of Guerrero, held in the picturesque village of Castelnouvo Badiano.  The Ballet Folkloric, Choir and Mariachis from Tec de Monterrey performed a special presentation for an intimate crowd on the private island of Albarella.   On Friday evening, a spectacular Mexican fiesta with music, dance, fashion, and food delighted several hundred spectators on the main plaza of the city of Rovigo.  And for the entire weekend mariachis played, dancers danced, the choir sang, and thousands of visitors sampled delicious Mexican botanas in Rovigo’s main shopping plaza.  The Plaza receives over 40,000 visitors each weekend, and culinary ambassador Chef Gabriela Pasquel cooked for over 2,000 strolling Italians each day.   A festive week promoting Mexican culture that local Italian newspapers called, ”An explosion of color,” and raved that, “Mexico has set us on fire!”

 

A tremendous success spreading the joy of Mexico and building lasting relationships for continued cultural exchanges, Mexico Week in Veneto  was created by the hard work and multidisciplinary efforts of culture promoters across Mexico and Italy.  Special thanks go to Fatima Guzman, President, Francisco Guzman, Vice President, Alberto Ravagnani , Italian liason, and Adelpho Guerrero of Tierra Viva; the mayor of Rovigo, Bruno Piva, Ugo Fiocchi, Marco Cavallaro and Gianarlo Chechinatto of Confraternita de Bavarolo, and interpretor, Selene Ravagnani, for all of their hard work and efforts to coordinate such a large international effort; and Marco Cavallaro,  Director of Centro Comercial Fattoria, Italian Chefs Enrico, Emanuel, Luca, Massimiliano, and their wonderful restaurants for being such gracious hosts.

 

A highlight of the trip was the performance of Contratenor Coloratto Cesar Tafoya, just 20 years old and one of only eight Contratenor Colorattos in the world, his solos created a sensation in Italy.  Originally from San Juan de Lagos, this was Tafoya’s first trip to Italy and while there he applied and was accepted to, the Conservatorio de Musica di Rovigo, and will be beginning his studies there in the upcoming months.  A rising star we hope to see much more of in the future.