Reading the Codex Mendoza
December 28, 2007 San Miguel de Allende

Lecture Codex Mendoza Guillermo Méndez Wed, Jan 2, 3pm Teatro Santa Ana Biblioteca Pública Insurgentes 25 50 pesos

Retired professor of humanities Guillermo Méndez offers an illustrated lecture (in English) on the Codex Mendoza, one of the most fascinating documents of the immediate post-conquest era in Mexico. Antonio de Mendoza, the first viceroy of New Spain (Mexico), commissioned the codex from Aztec scribes in the style of the early sixteenth century. Since the Aztecs had no written language, their books contained only images. Nevertheless, they were able to communicate a great deal as the Codex Mendoza reveals. It was created about the same time San Miguel was founded: 1541–42.

With a little knowledge it is possible to “read” this document and gain considerable insight into the culture of the reigning indigenous power in central Mexico in the early sixteenth century. The codex contains sections on the history and conquests of the Aztec kings, the tax or tribute lists of conquered cities, and perhaps most interesting of all, a section on Aztec daily life, including birth ceremonies, marriage rites, child-rearing practices, education, warfare training and moral customs.

(See the feature article in January 4 for the complete schedule of the not-to-be-missed lecture series “Ancient Cultures of Mexico” by Professor Méndez.)

Mexico as NAFTA laboratory

Lecture
Mexico under NAFTA
Cliff DuRand and Atahualpa Caldera
Wed, Jan 2, 10:30am
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Fourteen years ago Mexico joined the US and Canada to form an integrated economic system that has fundamentally transformed Mexican society. Under the banner of “free trade” the movement of capital and commodities across the border was accelerated. Under the economic principles of neo-liberalism, public assets were privatized—sold often to those who were politically well connected—and social services were curtailed. Communally held ejido land was also opened up to sale and this, along with a flood of imported corn from the US, forced millions of campesinos off the land and fueled a massive migration. NAFTA has made Mexico an ideal laboratory in which to study the effects of globalization, since they are so intensified here. 

A panel sponsored by the Center for Global Justice will explore these effects of NAFTA. Panelists will be retired professor of social philosophy Cliff DuRand, a research associate at the center, and Atahualpa Caldera, an activist and specialist in watershed management. They will give an overview of a three-week course which the Center for Global Justice will be offering.

Has Mexico become part of the First World, or only a dependent appendage of it? Come and join in this discussion of the transformation of a society in motion.

Learn about the “must see” places

Lecture Discover Galapagos, Ecuador and Peru Thu, Jan 3, 4–5:30pm Sala Quetzal Biblioteca Publica Insurgentes 25 Wine and hors d’oeuvres Free

Attend an informative meeting to discover why the Galapagos Islands, Quito, Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu are on the “must see” lists of so many travellers and why all are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The free seminar sponsored by Perfect Journeys showcases the upcoming tour “Discover Galapagos, Ecuador & Peru.” Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres while you learn about these incredible destinations and the May 11–26 journey with other adventurous San Miguel travellers. Judy Newell, who lived in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for 17 years, describes the enchanting 15-day expedition. For those making reservations at the event, a portion of the tour price will go to the Biblioteca Scholarship Fund.