OUR ACTIVITIES NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2011

14th of December 2011
Staff of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco celebrates the close of the year
To celebrate the closing of the activities of 2011, CEPE/UNAM – Taxco offered a dinner for the staff, administrators, and the Xinaxtli Theater Group that make up this great group of workers. In a festive and cordial environment, the personnel that works daily for the academic and cultural activities of this university campus came together and shared a meal at a central restaurant in the city of Taxco de Alarcón. On his part, the director of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, Professor Javier Cuétara, gave a toast and expressed his best wishes for all of the team of workers and their families.

13th of December 2011
Children’s dance workshop offers “The Nutcracker” at the Revolution Stage of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco
The Culture Office of the Municipal Government of Taxco presented “The Nutcracker,” resulting of work done by children that made up a workshop of children’s dance, at the Revolution Stage of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco. In front of friends, family, and the general public, the children presented this ballet, comprised of the music from Russian composer Tchaikovsky, which has become one of the most traditional and representative works for the Christmas season. The presentation of scenes narrates the story of Clara, a girl who receives Her Drosselmeyer from her uncle, a beautiful Nutcracker that awakens the jealousy of her brother Fritz. Clara and the Nutcracker share an adventure of dreams and journeys and make an unforgettable Christmas.

9th of December 2011
The University Choir from the Faculty of Rights performed at the 74th National Silver Fair
As part of the 74th edition of the National Silver Fair that is celebrated each year in the city of Taxco de Alarcón, the University Choir from the Faculty of Rights of UNAM offered a moving concert in the Zócalo of this beautiful colonial city. Under the direction of Professor Gabriela Patricia Díaz Rodríguez, the choir performed a program of variety consisting of musical pieces from the renaissance such as “Libre al Fin,” from Jacob Regnat, and “Tourdion” by Pierre Attaignant. Also, they sang international musical pieces such as “La Martiniana,” by Andrés Henestrosa, “Camioncito Flecha Roja” and “Taxco de mis Amores,” by the Taxcanian composer Raful Kráyem. The Choir from the Faculty of Rights from UNAM is made up of 35 students from the department. The have a repertoire of representative songs from different countries and periods which they have presented in distinct locations in and outside of the National University. They participated in the placement of insignias of the honorary doctorates cause presided by the director Dr. José Narro Robles, in the gala concert of the Symphonic Orchestra of Mining and the protest ceremony by the director Dr. José Narro Robles.

The 6th through 10th of December 2011
The Xinaxtli Theater Group from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco participates in the Fifth New Wave Theater Cycle
With the intention of strengthening, perfecting and giving notoriety to their work, the Xinaxtli Theater Group from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco was invited to participate in the “Fifth New Wave Theater Cycle” that is held in the port of Acapulco, Guerrero, from the 6th through 10th of December. Organized by the Guerrero State Government through the Guerrero Institute of Culture (IGC) to promote Mexican drama, the “Fifth New Wave Theater Cycle” is a point of encounter where young artists have the opportunity to attend workshops and to view a variety of performances and dramatic lectures. During this cycle there were participants from Querétaro, the State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Nuevo León, the Federal District, and of course from Guerrero; the Xinaxtli Theater Group presented the play “Empty Love,” by Saremi Moreno, under the direction of Professor Layo Oviedo.

7th of December 2011
Closing ceremony and Christmas party at CEPE/UNAM – Taxco
In a festive and cheerful environment, administrative staff, professors, foreign students, and English and culture students from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco shared in the closing activities and the Christmas party that is traditionally held at this educative center every year. In the “Independence” auditorium, a group of students that completed their intensive courses of English, as well as those that finished their course of advanced pronunciation and conversation with the professor Fran M. Fray, received their certificates in the presence of friends and family. In this ceremony, the professor Carmen Sotelo, coordinator of English courses, presented the closing of courses for this year. On his part, Professor Roberto Cruz, the academic secretary, invited the students to participate in the process of continuing education and to take advantage of the academic offerings of the National University. Later, the students from the guitar course taught by Professor Ethan James Hagen, gave a presentation of three musical pieces. And to conclude with the artistic section, the students from the children’s English courses, directed by Professor Belén Magadan, sang three Christmas songs. Finally, teachers, students, and staff from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco sang the traditional “posada” and shared different typical foods for this time of year such as buñuelos, Christmas punch, bags of candy, and tamales which were served in the patio of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” where children and young people broke various piñatas that were made by foreign students and their teachers.

6th of December 2011
Commemoration of International Migrant Day at CEPE/UNAM – Taxco
With the objective to commemorate the “International Migrant Day,” CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, as part of the Consulting Council of Migration, collaborated with the National Institute of Migration (INM), the Northern Zone of Guerrero Delegation to carry out diverse activities at the installations of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo”. During the initial act, those that presided were Lic. Gloria Ocampo Aranda, the regional delegate of Guerrero for INM, Professor Roberto Cruz, the academic secretary of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, and Lic. Daniel Martínez, the director of tourism and a representative of the municipal president of Taxco. Two awards were presented. The recognition of the “Most Distinguished Foreigner,” was awarded to C. Margarita Paula Potjan, from the United States, for her outstanding altruistic work in the region of the state of Guerrero. In addition, an award for “Distinguished Citizen” was given to C. Arturo Ocampo for his work to favor the migration population and his community. As part of the commemorative act, there was an artistic event at the “Revolution” stage, where various groups participated in dance, such as from the Bachilleres High School Plantel No. 4 from Taxco, and the Culture House of Buenavista de Cuellar. Finally, those in attendance enjoyed food from diverse countries to form part of the special cuisine offerings for this event.

3rd of December 2011
CEPE/UNAM – Taxco’s Xinaxtli Theater group presents “The Jaguar’s Spots,” at UNAM’s Botanical Garden
CEPE/UNAM – Taxco’s Xinaxtli Theater group presented “The Jaguar’s Spots,” a tridimensional spectacle based on the traditional legend “The Ocelote’s Spots,” at the Botanical Garden of the Biology Institute of UNAM. With the help of Professor Linda Balcázar, the coordinator of promotion for the Botanical Garden of the IB-UNAM, the Xinaxtli Theater Group from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, directed by professor Layo Oviedo and integrated by young people from Taxco, performed scenes concerning a jaguar, which symbolizes the pre-Hispanic world, and reveals the secrets about his fur, the history of its significance, and the characteristic markings. Written in a poetic language, this play permits us to discover the Cosmo vision of the pre-Hispanic world and the relation with the stars and nature through the story of a jaguar that lives on the side of a hill and adores contemplating the moon, mountains, and lakes.

1st of December 2011
Scenes from “La Casa de Bernarda Alba” at the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo
To close the year and using the “Casona” of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrio,” the Xinaxtli Theater Group of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco presented scenes from the play “La Casa de Bernarda Alba,” written by the Spanish poet, prose writer, and playwright Federico García Lorca. Under the direction of Professor Layo Oviedo, “La Casa de Bernarda Alba,” narrates the drama of various women in a confinement. Angustias, Magdalena, Amelia, Martino, and Adela, five unwed sisters, encounter a destiny that they don’t want while one man provokes questions and upsets them all. This work shows the society of past times and the adverse circumstances that prevailed for women in much of society. The themes, which consist of love, hate, repression, hypocrisy, and egotism, unfortunately reflect many of the conflicts in today’s society. It is the intention of the Xinaxtli Theater Group of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco to present the complete play at the next Jornada Alarconiana that is held in the City of Taxco each year.

30th of November 2011
Mid-course meeting of the Coordination of Special Education, Taxco Region
As part of the collaboration between the Secretary of Education and the State of Guerrero and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the 30th of November there was a meeting of the Mid-course Coordination of Special Education, in the region of Taxco at the “Independence” auditorium of the Learning Center for Foreign Students – Taxco Campus (CEPE/UNAM – Taxco). The meeting was presided by Lic. Guadalupe Bataz Hernández, the level director in the State, and Professor Roberto Cruz Arzabal, the Academic Secretary of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, who was present as a guest. During the meeting, professor Rubén Cortés Olivares presented the developing works of the professors in the region during the first half of the school year. Before the meeting, those in attendance took a tour of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” to know and enjoy this historic place, which is a patrimony to the people of Guerrero, and is protected by the University.

30th of November 2011
Scenes from the play “Crazy Love,” a story showing obsessive love presented by the Dramatic Literature and Theater College
Students from the Dramatic Literature and Theater College from the Philosophy and Language department of UNAM present scenes from “Crazy Love,” by Sam Shepard, on the “Revolution” stage of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco. Directed by Jorge Maldonado and located in the south of the United States in the 80’s, this play narrates the story of intermittent love between May and Eddie, where jealousy, obsessive love, and ghosts of past family relationships condition and trap the couple in endless vicious circles. The characters performed by Jimena Blanco, Samuel González, Osvaldo Jiménez, and Arturo León, describe some of the dominant pathological actions presented in idealized love relationships and, in one way or another, the spectator is able to identify with the situations.

29th of November 2011
UNAM and CEPE/UNAM – Taxco present the photography exposition Stamps of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo” by Lorena Alcaraz Minor at the Vice Royal Art Museum
The National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Learning Center for Foreign Students Campus Taxco (CEPE/UNAM – Taxco) presented the photography exposition Stamps of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” by the well-known photographer Lorena Alcaraz Minor, at the Vice Royal Art Museum of this city. The inauguration was on Tuesday the 29th of November at 12:30 pm, and was assisted by professor Alcaraz, Dr. Saturnino Abarca, the director of the Vice Royal Art Museum, Professor Roberto Cruz Arzabal on behalf of CEPE – Taxco, Professor Claudia Espinosa, the first lady of culture and representative of the municipal government, Professor Jorge Soto, the coordinator of the Taxco headquarters for the National School of Plastic (visual) Arts, and Dr. Rodrigo Espino, president of the Geography and History Society of Taxco and a professor at CEPE Taxco, as well as dozens of young students from the Preparatory High school #4 of Taxco and from UAGro. In the presentation, Roberto Cruz Arzabal spoke of the beauty of the photographs that offer a distinct, more penetrating view of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” and also invited those in attendance to enjoy one of the most beautiful patrimonies of Taxco. During her speech, professor Alacaraz indicated the importance of the distinct cultural instances that are promoted and preserved through photography, especially from the technique of works that were done before digital technology. She also invited those in assistance, especially the young people, to learn the techniques she mentioned, which are artistic, so that they can be preserved. The exposition, consisting of 20 photographs, shows distinct angles of the beauty of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” a building compound that is considered to be the patrimonial property of the people of Taxco de Alarcon, and is known for its great architectural and historic value. Today it is home to CEPE/UNAM – Taxco and has been granted as a loan to house this school of higher learning since 1992. This series of images was elaborated with the intention of capturing the charm of the space that makes up this important hacienda from the 16th century, and at the same time, to invite the spectator to know, enjoy, and reflect on the historic value of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” which is one of the first mining haciendas in America. According to Lorena Alcaraz Minor’s explanation, the collection of images in black and White were made in negative to amplify the traditional process of dark room photography development using chemicals, and techniques that have existed for more than one hundred years, as a way to render homage to this historic place. The photography exposition was presented in UNAM-Canada, at Gatineau-Ottawa, as well as in the CEPE on the University City Campus, with the intention of showing the legendary place that is under the protection of the National University, as well as to promote Taxco as a tourist and academic destination. It is important to identify that after the inauguration of the exposition in the Vice Royal Art Museum, the well-known photographer will return to Taxco de Alarcón in January to initiate the first of four photography studies about the “Casona,” located at the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” which is now in the process of being restored. These photographic studies will be a graphic memory that shows the previous state, the evolution, and the end result of the work in restoration that will take place at this hacienda that will show the process of cataloging the work by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). With this series of images, the “Casona,” which will be captured by the lens of Alcaraz Minor, the National University and CEPE/UNAM – Taxco intend to prepare an exposition and a publication where the evolution of the process is demonstrated in this important remodeling project. To finish the project of restoration and remodeling of the “Casona,” from the beginning of 2011 UNAM and CEPE/UNAM – Taxco have managed projects and corresponding authorizations with the INAH. In this context, it is determined that the work on this project will begin in 2012 http://www.cepetaxco.unam.mx/EXPOBYN032010.html

29th of November 2011
The Xinaxtli Theater Group presents “The Moving Ofrenda” in a primary school in Taxco
With the objective of spreading different artistic manifestations and looking for other places to present performances by the Xinaxtli Theater Group of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, made up primarily of young people from this city, there was a presentation of “The Moving Ofrenda” in the Primary School “Ignacio Manuel Altamirano” in Taxco de Alarcón. In front of an audience of children from the primary school, the Xinaxtli Theater Group offered this spectacle where there were different artistic disciplines presented such as dance and theater to represent traditional Mexican images and our relation to death. The spectacle, under the direction of Layo Oviedo, is a representation where the participants of the theater group from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, through their expressions using their bodies, invoke the spectators to be a part of a traditional ofrenda for the Day of the Dead, but in living movement. “The Moving Ofrenda” was presented in various places, including the Mega-Ofrenda that is created each year at the University Campus in Mexico City.

25th of November 2011
“Roles,” a play about eroticism and social conventions, presented in Taxco
There was a presentation of the play “Roles,” an adaption of the famous play “The Round,” from the play-write Arthur Schnitzler, under the direction of the Tramoy de Puebla theater group, with the director Margarita Cuétara. The play is an agile exploration of the multiple possibilities of couple’s relationships in today’s world. Through dance, the characters, interpreted by Paco Maldonado and Sofía Sledzinka, change their masks and couples, without the importance of social or economic levels, until a circle is closed that offers a view of society that is debated among the passions and the social conventions that diminish us. The play was presented on Thursday the 24th at the Revolution stage of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, where it received a great reception on the part of the public, primarily composed of young students from this center. On the morning of Friday the 25th the play was presented at the United Academy of Earth Sciences of the Autonomous University of Guerrero, located at the Ex Hacienda of San Juan Bautista in Taxco el Viejo. In this presentation, the result of a fruitful collaboration between UNAM and UAGro, there was in attendance students from the Geology and Geography departments of the University, as well as a group of students from the Bachilleres High School located in Taxco el Viejo, and almost 200 students were in attendance to enjoy this play and warmly applaud the actors, musicians, and the director.

25th of November 2011
Collective photographic exposition concerning the environmental deterioration of Taxco throughout the city to generate concern among its populace
This past October, students from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco participated in the course “Humans and Nature” and captured images of the continuing process of urban degradation and the grave problem of air, water, and soil pollution that the city of Taxco de Alarcón faces. With these images, there was a collective photography exposition “I’m from a small and and…” Urban images of Taxco. The importance of the message and the objective to generate consciousness with the public of Taxco about the grave environmental problem, the exposition, which consisted of twenty photographs, was presented in diverse educational and public places in the city. In this context, the photographs were exhibited in the recreational park “El Huixteco,” in the frame of the festivities that are held each year in the beginning of the month of November to celebrate “Jumil Day,” which is a date when numerous people go to the park to collect this insect that forms part of the diet of the people of this region. Later, the photographs were brought to the Miguel Ángel School located in Taxco so that students and professors could observe them and generate consciousness among young people. With this exposition, the students from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco were able to offer a critical view of this lamentable problem that has been generalized, and at the same time call attention to citizens to be aware and participate in the actions necessary to improve the urban spaces of this city.

23rd and 24th of November 2011
“The son of the miner, the life of Juan Ruiz de Alarcón,” theater for children in Taxco
As part of its mission in the state of Guerrero and with the objective to assist in spreading different cultural manifestations in the city of Taxco, CEPE/UNAM – Taxco presented the short play “The son of the minor, the life of Juan Ruiz de Alarcón,” for children. This play narrates the history of one of the most important and representative characters of Taxco. Through the use of marionettes and diverse didactic resources, the theatrical representation intended to capture the attention of the young audience and to awaken in them the interest of a historic theme in a simple way. “The son of the miner, the life of Juan Ruiz de Alarcón” was presented on the 23rd of November in the “Revolution” stage at CEPE/UNAM – Taxco and on the 24th of November at the Miguel Ángel School of this city with the objective of strengthening the interest of different cultural manifestations and with that to assist in the reflection, sensibility, and development of emotional abilities.

18th of November 2011
UNAM Inaugurates the Botanical Garden “Hernando Ruiz de Alarcón” in Taxco, Guerrero
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Learning Center for Foreign Students – Campus Taxco (CEPE/UNAM – Taxco) inaugurated the Botanical Garden “Hernando Ruiz de Alarcón,” an important conservational area and environment promoted by the maximum house of studies in the North Region of the state of Guerrero. The inauguration was accompanied by Dr. Victor Manuel Sánchez Cordero D’pavila, the Director of the Biology Institute, Dr. Javier Caballero Nieto, Director of the Botanical Garden of the IB-UNAM, Professor Linda Balcázar, Coordinator of the Area of Education Diffusion for the Botanical Garden of IB-UNAM, Professor Javier Cuétara, the Director of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco. The intention of the inauguration was to point out that the Garden is a place to conserve natural resources through environmental education; in addition it is to promote the understanding and protection of the biodiversity that is characteristic of our country and to help the restoration of the flora from this region in the use of herbal medicine that dates back to pre-Hispanic times and is a tradition of Mexico. The project of this natural conservation space began in January of 2010 and thanks to the help of the contributors of diverse academic institutions, there are three different specialized botanical collections: arboretum, cactáceas, and medicinal plants. The arborétum garden, dedicated to the collection of trees, contains 16 different examples; in the cactus section there are more than 100 examples that pertain to 74 different species. Unfortunately a little more than 15 percent of these species are endangered, for which the reproduction is of vital importance for their conservation in our biodiversity. Finally, in the collection of medicinal plants there are more than 35 species, which are traditionally known as medicinal herbs from Mexico. Also, in the setting of the inauguration of the Botanical Garden of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, there was a presentation of the exposition “Plants for life. Protect the Botanical Gardens of Mexico for the future,” brought to Taxco by the Botanical Garden of IB-UNAM. Professor Linda Balcázar explained that this sample has as its objective to spread the biodiversity of Mexico; the problems that unfortunately have put this biodiversity in jeopardy, and the importance that flora have for life. With these activities, CEPE/UNAM – Taxco initiated the festivities of its 20 year anniversary that will be celebrated next year.

18th of November 2011
UNAM and CEPE – Taxco in the Third Organ Festival of Santa Prisca
As part of the work in promotion and extension of culture, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, through the Learning Center for Foreign Students – Taxco Campus (CEPE/UNAM – Taxco) presented the Third Organ Festival of Santa Prisca that was held in the city of Taxco de Alarcón, starting in the month of September and will conclude this 12th of January. The National University and CEPE/UNAM – Taxco in collaboration with the State Government of Guerrero, the Guerrero Institute of Culture (IGC), the Culture Department of Taxco de Alarcón´s Municipal Government, the Vice Royal Art Museum, and some private companies, set off this work with the objective of strengthening cultural life and tourism in Taxco, which is considered a Magic Town. The concert was presented at the parochial church Santa Prisca and was performed by the organist Benjamín Paredes Aponte, originally from Mexico City and a graduate of the National School of Music of UNAM.

17th of November 2011
The Pianist Alberto Cruzprieto presented a musical program dedicated to Debussy and Gershwin, at the Revolution Stage of CEPE Taxco
As part of the joint work between the National Coordination of Music and Opera of the INBA and CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, this past Thursday, the 17th of November there was a presentation by the renowned Mexican pianist Alberto Cruzprieto with a program dedicated to some international piano works, which also included one work by the Mexican composer Manuel Ponce. The first part was dedicated to Works by the French impressionist composer Claude Debussy whose contributions to traditional musical structures is widely known in the history of music. The beauty of these pieces by Debussy, such as the piece “La Caterdral Sumergida,” was applauded vigorously because of the wonderful performance. The second part of the concert was dedicated to the music of George Gershwin, known world-wide for his spontaneity and exploration of popular American music, and this section of the performance also moved the spectators because of professor Cruzprio’s virtuosity. The concert ended with applauses from the public, which encouraged professor Cruzprieto to return with an encore performance.

16th of November 2011

Young writers present their Works to be read in Taxco

Emiliano Álvarez and Manuel de J. Jiménez are two promising voices in Mexican poetry by young people. The first received a scholarship to the foundation of Mexican Writing for two periods, while the second participated in various independent editorial projects; both studied at UNAM and visited Taxco to offer a lecture of their works and to talk to those in attendance, mostly young people, at the Vice Royal art museum in this colonial city. For forty minutes, Manuel and Emiliano read some of their published and unedited poems which got the attention of those in attendance. In the end, there was a discussion between the public and the poets about the form of poetry and the value of writing poems today. The lecture was programmed with the “Wednesday Literature” at the Museum, which is not only a continuation of the project to spread literary culture, but to reinforce the collaborations between the Vice Royal Art Museum and the representation of UNAM in Taxco through CEPE.

10th of November 2011
CEPE Taxco inaugurates a film cycle to promote gender equality
In collaboration with the civil Equality and Autonomy in Motion association and the Vice Royal art Museum of Taxco, CEPE/UNAM – Taxco organized the film cycle “Yes for our rights, no to violence.” The intention was to make those in attendance, of whom were mostly young people from schools in this city, aware of the importance of equality which is the foundation of a dignified and peaceful life. The inauguration was under the direction of the Equality and Autonomy in Motion’s director Eva Albavera who highlighted the importance of such a film cycle, by means of drawing attention to the phenomenon that has had a considerable effect on women in the State of Guerrero. Eva Albavera criticized the situation that women are in regarding the dominance of patriarchy. The film that opened the cycle was How Much I Love You, directed by Francés Philippe Claudel, first shown in Mexico in 2009 during the 13th tour of French Films. The film is about the story of a woman who fights to interact with her family and encounters her place in society after having been in prison for fifteen years. The film cycle continued on Thursdays in November, until the first Thursday in December, at the Vice Royal Art Museum. The films were proportionated to the post graduate degree program in phycology with the Ibero-American University of Puebla during their visit to Taxco.

4th and 5th of November 2011
The University Student Choir offers concerts in Taxco de Alarcón
The University Student Choir performed on Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of November in two different important locations in Taxco de Alarcón: at the “Revolution” stage of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, and the “Juan Ruiz de Alarcón” stage at the Hotel Posada de la Misión, of which was decisive for the presentation of CEU. In both concerts, the young participants of CEU delighted those in attendance with Mexican and international music of diverse registers and periods, accompanied by piano and keyboard by its director, Professor Marco Antonio Ugalde. The Choir was founded in 2005 with students from different schools and departments of the National Autonomous University of Mexico; its principal objective is to offer a high level of performance wherever they go. This is the third time that the CEU has performed in this colonial town, and as in other occasions, was warmly received by the public. As a highlight and important part of the concerts that were presented, the music of Taxco’s Raful Kráyem was proudly performed; he is known as one of the most important representatives of popular Mexican songs. For the presentation of Kráyem’s Music, the CEU received assistance in receiving the sheet music from CEPE – Taxco and the organization of Magic Towns, which was a delight for the citizens of Taxco.