Eight thousand people at Expresión en corto
By Jesús Ibarra

According to Ernesto Herrera, director of short-film festival Expresión en corto, about eight thousand people attended the different events this past weekend.

The event opened with a street parade in honor of Mexican actress Josefina Echánove, who led the way with her son, actor Alonso Echánove, in an open carriage, pulled by the draft horse usually in the Jardín with the ice cream wagon. Followed by men in stilts, a band and kids disguised as Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Echánove advanced forward through Hidalgo Street up to the Jardín. Afterwards, the carriage left Echánove and her son in front of the Angela Peralta Theater, where the 79-year-old actress received a tribute from personalities like Marina Stavenhagen, head of IMCINE (National Institute of Cinematography), Iván Trujillo, head of the UNAM (National University of Mexico) film archive; Juan Alcocer, head of the State Culture Department; Mayor Jesús Correa; Sarah Hoch, founder of Expresión en Corto; and Mexican actors Rafael Inclán, Diana Bracho, Ana Ofelia Murguía and Erik del Castillo. Margarita Gralia, actress and local businesswoman, hosted the event. 

Echánove told Atención: “I feel very touched and nervous with this tribute. I am very grateful to Expresión en Corto.”

About the current Mexican cinema, the actress said: “I think Mexican cinema is currently reemerging. During the Golden Age, movies depicted the charros and the horses. Today, it is a most profound cinema which depicts our reality, that of the marginalized. It is a very documentary cinema.”

Echánove spoke about the three Mexican directors whose movies have been internationally successful –Cuarón (Children of Men), Alejandro González Iñarritu (Babel), and Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth). “I am very proud of them. I really congratulate them for their success.” 

Echánove said she does not have any projects at the moment, but she intends to continue acting in movies. “I will continue working as long as my health allows me. Three months ago I participated in a film directed by Alejandro Ramírez, who had already won an award for his short film Martha, in which I appeared too. My knees were not quite well, but I was there. Even if I am crawling, I will continue to be in movies”.

After he tribute and festival opening at Angela Peralta, a gala dinner was organized at Bellas Artes where Las Mañanitas was sung to Josefina Echánove for her 79th birthday.

Other Expresión en Corto events in San Miguel included the Midnight madness showcase at Kunsthaus gallery; Movie with Mummy at the local cemetery; Kenneth Anger’s Master Class, and all the short film showcases shown at Angela Peralta, Bellas Artes, Teatro Santa Ana, Villa Jacaranda Hotel, MM Cinemas and the Jardín. Expresión en Corto continues in Guanajuato through Sunday, July 29. 

“Expresión en Corto” en corto Reviewing the film festival
By Atención staff

Expresión en Corto, the international short film festival, celebrated its 10th anniversary here in San Miguel from July 20–24. Opening night at the Angela Peralta and Bellas Artes received mixed reviews—too many speeches, the food was mediocre, they ran out of red wine early and didn’t offer white, the black tie certainly seemed optional; but all was forgiven and forgotten when actress Josefina Echánove took the stage and delighted the audience with her charm, wit and timeless beauty.

The Sierra Nevada hosted a memorable cocktail party Saturday evening complete with exotic margaritas, hors d’ouevres that can only be described as edible art and terrific music by Frank Bravo y Su Son Sonido.

Movies with Mummies, a midnight showing of horror films at the local cemetery, was a different kind of horror; only 200 were allowed into each showing and no one seemed to know what was going on. The line extended from the Panteón to Hotel Real de Minas.

Some who expected to get in at midnight found out after standing in line for an hour that they would have to wait for the 2am showing. Those who had luckier timing reportedly had a wonderful time. As for the rest, their only consolation was in knowing they’re sure to get there someday. Maybe next year reservations will be available for limited-space events.

All in all the crowds were impressive and the reviews quite good. The Teatro Santa Ana had smaller audiences, partly because they were showing feature-length films and partly because they were scheduled to show older movies like Top Hat and Easy Rider. The documentaries were well attended and well made, according to José Luis Mendoza, Director of Art and Culture, “The Blue Revolution was particularly interesting; it’s about the unintended consequences of introducing one fish species into waters which eventually led to the decimation of the local fish life.” The Cuban government sponsored the program to help rural families raise their own fish and instead ended up “raising the biggest biological threat the island has ever known.” The film was directed by Fabián Archondo.

The festival continues in Guanajuato from July 25–29. Filmmaker Dora Guzmán will present the short film her 15 students made during her workshop, with a number of scenes filmed at Teatro Santa Ana. This work will be presented at the premier in Guanajuato and all the kids involved will be there along with President Felípe Calderón and a number of directors and celebrities.

Mythology of the mural

A first visit to the Sala Quetzal in the Biblioteca Pública is enthralling, mesmerizing and quite overwhelming. There is so much to absorb that spinning around seems the only approach. But the mural tells a story, a clear cosmogony in 12 panels. We will present this narrative along with the relevant images over the next weeks in an effort to enhance understanding and enjoyment of this spectacular mural. We continue with panels seven and eight.

Atención staff

Quetzalcoatl, with hair made of the feathers from the sacred eagle that symbolically devours the serpent, tells us of the triumph of day over night, light over darkness and the power of the Sun over the Tezcatlipoca, God of the Night. The Fifth Sun, the one in motion, Ohllín Tonatiuh, marks the new age, where man will be free.

The women, too, participate in this cosmic shift; they are women warriors, goddesses. Both sides of the principal figure demonstrate courage with arms extended, holding torches with new fire.

The animals of the night, such as the turkey, the dog and the lizard joined forces with Quetzalcoatl’s twin, Xolotl.

It is told that Quetzalcoatl, after leaving us the arts and his wisdom, was forced to abandon Tula, his beloved and peaceful kingdom, setting aflame the ship that sailed out of the Gulf of Mexico and was lost in the East.

It was then Quetzalcoatl became immortal, he became the planet Venus, the morning star. With arms spread, he carries the flower that nourishes the sacred hummingbird and a serpent representing the circle of life, the eternal circle. His chestplate is always a snail, a spiral that speaks to the growth of the human spirit.







Festival

Nopal and Maguey Festival

Sat–Sun, July 28–29, 10am–5pm
Lena Bartula 442.293.0000
lenabartula@gmail.com 
150 pesos or US$15

First Annual Nopal and Maguey Festival
By Teresa Martínez

There is an expression often heard in San Miguel, “Adios is not goodbye.” So many Spanish words and phrases have multiple meanings, or they sound like something we expats think we know.

What do you think of when you hear the word tuna? Fish, right? But if you’ve ever ordered tuna in Mexico, chances are you got either a funny look or a very red fruit from the nopal cactus.

Come and discover the many uses of this and other cacti and experience the tuna and its many uses at the First Annual Nopal and Maguey Festival in Mineral de Pozos. During the weekend of July 28–29, this little pueblo, just 45 minutes northeast of San Miguel, will feature specialties made of native plants from this region known as the Sierra Gorda.

Vendors, cooks, herbalists and artisans from surrounding villages will gather at Plaza Zaragoza, promising alimentos from the nopal. Also called prickly pear cactus, the nopal is a plant so important in the history and culture of this land that it is featured on the Mexican coat of arms. The tuna, those bright red fruits growing atop the paddles (that cactus appendage that is neither branch nor leaf) are not only tasty but also high in vitamins A, C, B complex and iron. Visitors will enjoy samples of jams, salads and other specialties, including colonche, a liquor said to be mild, pungent and almost sweet.

From the maguey cactus, there will be tastings of quiote, pulque and mezcal. Other delicacies include salsas and salads made from the xoconoztle, pinoles of maiz, mesquite and garbanzas and galletas (cookies) of maiz and mesquite. Did you know that Mexico exports 40,000 pounds of nopales daily to Texas alone, making them widely available in supermarkets. The liquid extracted from the nopal is used as a soluble dietary fiber supplement in health food stores.

Inauguration of the festivities will be held on Plaza Zaragoza and serenaded by Mariachi de Pozos, with a welcome by Elia Guadalupe Villegas, president of the municipality. Cooks using a specified list of ingredients unique to this area will prepare regional dishes for display and tasting, with prizes awarded. Register with Lucia Garcia, who just might make sure you take home recipes for your favorite dishes. This event and the registration is free to the public.

Events to round out this festival include dances, both pre-Hispanic and folklorica, huapango, mariachi and pre-Hispanic music, stories and legends told in the Chichimeca-Jonás language, workshops on regional herbal medicines and every kind of cactus imaginable.

The restaurants of Pozos get into the act as well, offering innovative dishes such as French-fried nopales served with chipotle-mayonnaise dipping sauce that the restaurant at Hotel Casa Montana created for this occasion. And huaraches are not just sandals; it’s also the name of a traditional dish of cactus paddles stuffed with cheese and mushrooms. Los Walterios, a mariachi trio from San Luis de la Paz, will entertain at the restaurant on Saturday.

Photographer David Winslow believes that the nopales and magueys in and around Pozos are alive, noble and glorious and has chosen his favorite images of them to exhibit at this event. He and his camera are out early, waiting for the first sun or the magic hour late in the afternoon to catch those plants in every season and every stage of their existence. His works, which capture the haunting beauty of these desert plants, can be seen at his hotel, Posada de las Minas. The hotel restaurant and tequila bar will be serving mixotes, a concoction of chicken breast and nopalitos in ancho chile sauce, presented on a maguey leaf and accompanied by thirst-quenching tuna margaritas.

Festival hours for both Saturday and Sunday are 10am–5pm.

Bus transportation is available, and tickets are sold in advance at Galeria Pergola, at the Instituto Allende, and also at Galeria 19 in Centro. Round-trip cost from San Miguel is $150 pesos, or $15. USD. The bus leaves from Plaza del Conde, (the old Gigante parking lot) at 10am, and leaves Casa Montana at 4pm.

For more information: Teresa Martinez at Casa Mexicana: 442.293.0014. If you get a machine, you can leave a message in English. 





“Real food” can make you happy
By Melanie Harris de Maycotte

Retreat Food workshop with Dr. Traci Potterf Aug 17–18 Rancho Santa Gloria 152-2910

Perhaps this is the first time you’ve heard the term “real food” and, if you are anything like me, you are skeptical. I can tell you that just acknowledging that there is such a thing as “real,” nourishing food—as opposed to “junk,” “processed” or “industrialized” food—is the first step toward becoming the healthy person you deserve to be.

It is not about semantics; it is about the truth about food and its overall effect on our bodies, health and ultimately, yes, happiness. 

We’re all accustomed to hearing the word organic. We know organic foods are produced without toxic pesticides and fertilizers, they do not strip the soil of nutrients or otherwise overtax the environment and they are free of harmful additives and preservatives that can cause allergies, compromise the immune system and create a number of physical and mental imbalances.

I would hope that most of us agree that organic agriculture is far superior to industrial agriculture as the facts are in and have been well documented since the 1970s. If we take it a step further—or better yet, closer— seasonal foods that are locally produced give us what our bodies need at a given time of year in a given environment. They are also available right after they have been picked ripe, and thus are packed with nutrients, fresh and tasty from the ground to our mouths.

While it is true that some people do not tolerate dairy well, there is a growing awareness that whole dairy products and other saturated fats have been given an undeserved bad rap. In fact, there is evidence that dairy products, such as whole milk, cheese, yogurt and butter, are actually highly nutritious when the animals that produce them are grass fed. Most animals raised industrially are fed refined polyunsaturated oil and grains to fatten them up quickly but not necessarily to nourish them. Throw in some hormones, antibiotics and stressful, cruel conditions and you have got yourself some unhealthy so-called “food” (whose fats are indeed pernicious). This is true of any animal product, not just dairy. It is also interesting to note that the pasteurization process that is meant to protect us from disease actually renders dairy products less nutritious and much more difficult to digest.

Did you try out the low-fat diet fad of the ’90s or put your body through the pains of the Atkins Diet? Have you participated in weight loss programs where you weighed, wrote down and counted everything you ate, yet never really managed to make any real, long-term improvement to your health or self-image? Did you starve yourself of nutrients to lower fat, carbs and calories, only to be miserably hungry for months and then instantly regain the weight? Beyond obesity, do you suffer from chronic symptoms or an ongoing illness that might be healed or drastically improved with simple changes to your dietary lifestyle?

W can see food trends changing by the day. Is there a way to know who or what to believe? Is real, organic, nutritious food really that important? Can food quality be so important for maintaining and regaining our health? Are we really supposed to believe that some fats can be good for you and that the healthiest foods are delicious? Is it possible that our appetites are more closely linked to our nutritional needs being met than to physical fullness in the stomach? Are there factors that our immediate senses and intuition can be trained to notice that can make us crave “real” food and find unhealthy, processed food increasingly unappealing? 

What about cost? If we can buy cheap, conventional, prepackaged or fast foods, why spend money and time preparing organic, natural foods? Will spending the time and money to learn about and eat “real” food now really save each of us thousands of dollars in medical bills and pharmaceuticals, not to mention gain us priceless quality of life in the long run? Will being healthy really make us happier? Yes.

Learning about “real,” nourishing whole foods addresses all of these issues by explaining what is real and how the body reacts to what we put into it. A plethora of sources are available to guide you; a wealth of scientific studies, alternative and traditional experts, and good old-fashioned common sense.

We need is to wake up and educate ourselves about the crucial role of nutrition for our physical and emotional well-being. Fortunately, a rare opportunity to learn more about “real” food, how to integrate it into our lives and how it affects our health and happiness is coming our way. Traci Potterf, a food coach and personal chef, is coming to San Miguel to share her passion for delicious, nourishing whole foods with everyone interested in learning more. Potterf has a PhD in Medical Anthropology from UC Berkeley and has researched the dynamics among food, medicine, society and health for the last eight years. More importantly, she has developed an understanding of the relationship between food and well-being through very personal experiences with chronic pain, digestive problems, anxiety, weight control and other forms of frequent illness. Through diet and lifestyle changes—namely eating whole, natural and organic foods (also yoga, meditation, exercise and alternative therapies)—she has almost completely reso
lved these issues. She now helps others. Her work as a food coach and personal chef has opened up a new professional doorway, allowing her to use her experience and knowledge to enable others.

In Potterf’s own words, “Growing up in a ‘dieting’ family and through my own studies and experiences, I have learned that most ‘diets,’ as our culture conceives them, do not work. My approach to food coaching is to adapt to each individual's needs and help people understand the relationship between food and their bodies so they learn to be guided by their own intuition, not preset menus, calorie counting and portion measuring. The focus is on making the vast array of delicious whole foods enjoyable on a day-to-day basis, not prohibition and deprivation.”

Potterf is offering a retreat-style, two-day workshop that pampers you as much as it educates you on how to nourish yourself, and enjoy doing so, for life. Her integrated approach to food education includes discussions and hands-on food preparation, while treating participants to organic local food, yoga instruction, meditation practice, an organic farm tour (there are three very good ones in San Miguel alone) and even live music. She combines the key elements of mind, body, spirit and society to encourage people to make positive lifestyle changes that promote health and happiness.

Rowing on the Presa de Allende
By Mike Lambert

I left Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a few weeks ago to drive all the way to SMA, carrying on my truck rooftop a one-person rowing shell (commonly referred to as a single scull) that I had just finished building. Its maiden voyage was on Saturday morning, June 30, on the Presa Allende, and it was a good row! The water was flat and the temperature just right.

No one was on the water except a couple fishermen casting their nets from their own boats. As we spotted each other, we eased our boats together. We felt a commonality in moving our vessels across the water with oars, as we admired each other’s craft. His, a totally utilitarian frame of naturally bent mesquite and oars tied into their chocks with bailing twine; mine at 24 feet, a beam of a mere 12 inches, with sliding seat, and carbon fiber oars. We could not have been more different, or more alike. He said he liked to row as much as fish. For me, rowing has been a lifetime passion.

You may ask: “Rowing on the Presa Allende?” That has been a calling since my first visit to San Miguel three years ago. It was then that I became determined to join efforts with others to improve the quality of the Presa, and also help to raise consciousness by promoting rowing and similar activities.

Access to rowing shells similar to the sleek ones in the States might be more difficult to come by here, so I chose to build one. Further, a significant part of my hope is to work with others, adults and young people, who may want to learn how to build and row their own boat. Using mostly common lumberyard materials, I’m pleased to say a shell is relatively easy to build and row. It would be a great project, involving young people and a parent or guardian.

The Presa is actually a beautiful place to row. The water is much cleaner than many believe, despite the fact that it is not clear. This is due in part to the stirring up of mud and silt—a consequence of the near constant turbulence and shallows. Local, state and federal government agencies and others, including volunteer groups, are working to improve water quality on a long-term basis. While it still has a ways to go, it isn’t unrealistic to hope that one day it will be possible to swim in the Presa and even see an increase in fish species as well as an improvement of the quality of fish. 

To help support the work of others with shared goals for improved water quality, a new group has formed, appropriately named Amigos de la Presa, whose objective it is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the Presa.

Launching my homemade rowing shell is actually part of the effort to encourage more people to discover the possibilities of the recreational use of the Presa through environmentally benign activities such as rowing, kayaking and sailing.

Local architect Eduardo Arias regularly kayaks on the Presa and has remarked, “One of my favorite activities is to explore the ruins of the Presa, especially the Church of Saint Augustine, the three haciendas and the bridge that was destroyed by dynamite in the 1930s.” He also stressed the importance of taking appropriate safety gear such as a PDF (personal flotation device) when rowing.

You may have noticed a Hobie catamaran on the Presa on a fairly regular basis. That is most likely Timoteo Wachter and friends, during their weekly sail. Tim says, “There is something magical about it.

Maybe it’s the combination of the desert light and air with the added fun and excitement of Hobie sailing that brings me out there time and again.” (Tim is the owner of that castle-like tower that can be seen on the southwest shore of the Presa.)

Others, experienced or not, who may be interested in rowing are invited to contact me. The shell I built can be completed in about 50 or 60 hours and at a relatively modest cost. I am available to supervise and guide construction as well as to give rowing lessons, if needed. Rowing is great fun and one of the best physical exercises there is.

All those interested in learning more about Amigos de la Presa are urged to send an email to MichaelPLambert@gmail.com. 

Amigos takes on the pound

Amigos de Animales in partnership with Ecología plans to construct a new municipal dog pound. The current facility, located on Calle Canal next to the slaughterhouse, is inadequate at best. There are only two cages, both of which are outside, leaving the dogs open to the elements.

By week’s end, the two cages are crowded with frightened animals, including sick or injured dogs and those who have been turned in for biting, or even killing, other dogs. Until recently, these holding pens did not even have a roof. Needless to say, the care and comfort of these animals, some of which are simply lost pets waiting for their owners to claim them, has never been a concern.

To remedy this situation, Amigos de Animales has agreed to share the cost of constructing a new Canine Control Center with Ecología to oversee its management. The new facility will have indoor cages, a quarantine area for sick and injured dogs, a clinic and a full-time veterinarian to oversee the Ecología staff and ensure the well-being of the dogs. The Control Center will be located just outside of town on the Salida a Querétaro near the new municipal buildings.

Ecología has donated the land for this project and has agreed to match Amigos dollar for dollar to pay for the construction. Toward this end, Amigos seeks your US tax-deductible contribution. Please contact Lisa Wandler at lisa@amigos-sma.org or 044 415 111 4723 to find out how to give.

Amigos de Animales is a San Miguel-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering of companion animals by controlling their overpopulation through free sterilizations and by educating the community about the humane treatment of animals. Amigos is a fully transparent, annually audited group, which prides itself on being an all-volunteer organization—neither the board members nor any of the volunteers receive payment for their work.

Ambassador Garza announces scholarships for 57 indigenous teachers and students
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza

Mexico City, July 19, 2007 – “This afternoon 57 scholarships were awarded to students and teachers from marginalized communities in Mexico City and the states of Chiapas, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco, Oaxaca and Queretaro.

“The scholarships, funded by the United States government through its Agency for International Development, will allow these students to attend community colleges in the United States for two years and earn technical degrees. All students return to their communities to implement development projects. Teachers will strengthen their bilingual education techniques through a one-year program at California State Polytechnic University.

“This year we are also pleased to support five students with disabilities to study Basic Electronics/Computer Repair for Deaf Students at St. Louis Community College.

“The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett and attended by senior officials from the Secretariat of Education and representatives from community organizations who assisted in identifying the scholarship recipients.

“The scholarships were provided under the Training, Internships, Exchanges and Scholarships (TIES) program. One-third of the scholarships under this initiative are especially designated for students from rural Mexico and indigenous communities who rarely have opportunities to pursue higher education.

“Through the TIES program, 213 scholarships have been awarded to date.”





Art show

Mi Vida, A Photographic Story of Girlhood
Sun–Mon, July 29–30, noon–3pm
Atenea Gallery
Jesus 2
Sales to benefit girls’ school funds

Santa Julia girls exhibit art to fund schooling

The last thing on a kid’s mind in July is school, but the Madres in charge of the girls at the Santa Julia home for girls are thinking ahead to next month when the girls will need uniforms, shoes, backpacks, workbooks and school supplies. Their live-in volunteers are helping them by hosting Mi Vida, A Photographic Story of Girlhood at Atenea Gallery, Jesus 2, July 29– 30 from noon–3pm.

“The girls found their photographic voices in this project, and the results show that age is not a determiner of talent,” said Ava Kahn-McQueen, project facilitator. “I expect those who attend this unique opening will be as touched as I have been in the unveiling of these girls’ life views.”

The girls’ photos show their attentiveness to patterns, their wee perspectives on the large world around them and their innate creativity. Fifteen displays, each with a variety of pieces for sale, demonstrate the girls’ feelings, desires and whims.

Many of the Santa Julia girls will make special appearances on the opening date of the show, which has been underwritten by supporters of Kahn-McQueen from Wheaton College in Massachusetts, along with assistance from local vendors.

“We hope that the people of San Miguel will come share the girls’ talent, and purchase pieces that they would love to have in their homes, and t-shirts to support the girls’ school funds,” said Madre Maria de Jesus Ortiz Balderas, director of Santa Julia.

The Santa Julia girls range in age from four months to 26 years. They receive no assistance from the church and almost no assistance from the government, so community support is critical to their ability to survive.

Tax-deductible donations may be made to the San Miguel Community Foundation, noting Santa Julia on the memo line of any financial instrument. They may be taken to Border Crossings at Mesones and Relox in San Miguel, or mailed to 9902 Crystal Court, Suite 107, Laredo, Texas 78045. For more information contact Robin Loving Rowland at robin@robinloving.com  or call 152 3709 or 925 481 8003 from the US.