OUR ACTIVITIES MAY 2012

29th of May

Conference about new methodical proposals in the teaching of ELE

There was a meeting in the “Independence” auditorium of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, with students, teachers, and the general public who listened attentively to a conference titled “Music in the teaching of ELE; methodical proposals,” offered by Dr. Luis Abanto, from the University of Ottawa. 

 

During the conference, which had as its objective to show some of the most recent didactic resources in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language, those in attendance participated in an interesting dynamic presentation organized by Dr. Abanto to demonstrate, using practical resources, the advantages of these new methodical proposals.

Luis Abanto is a Doctor in Hispanic Language from the University of Ottawa, the director of the Spanish program at the degree program level, and coordinator of the Spanish Department of Modern Languages and Literature of said academic institution.

28th of May

The National University Participates with notable theatrical repertoire in the 25th Jornadas Alarconianas.

As part of the program for the 25^th Jornadas Alarconianas that were held in this city from the 18^th through the 27^th of May, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, through diverse academic instances, presented a series of scenes that were well recognized and celebrated by the public in attendance of this important theatrical meeting in the State of Guerrero. 

In this context, the Learning Center for Foreign Students from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (CEPE/UNAM – Taxco) located at the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,”, was one of the locations that held presentations of University and contemporary theatrical repertoire.

On the part of the Dramatic Literature and Theater College from the Philosophy of Language Department, under the direction of Andrea Cruz Meléndez, “Edy and Rudy” was presented; scenes that touch on themes such as the use of new technology, unemployment, friendship, personal development, globalization, and individualism.  “Criminal, a little tragedy about transferal contertransferal” Directed by Aurora Gómez, is a story about two psychiatrists who become victims of the illnesses from their patients. 

 

  

 

Later, the Theater Workshop from the Department of Political and Social Sciences presented “The Mass of the Rooster,” by Alejandro Román.  It is in a contemporary setting where five actors develop three anecdotal lines that are put on top of each other in time, and construct the narration of spaces, sensations, and thoughts about divers aspects of violence in Mexico.

 

 

In the itinerant theater program of the twenty fifth edition of the Jornadas Alarconianas, the Comedy Cart of UNAM, under the direction of Juan Carlos Vives and in the Zocalo of Taxco, participated with great success the play titled “Peace.”  This text of Aristophanes was adapted for the present times, the humor and contemporary theater touched on themes such as violence, danger, and the war on drugs in our country.

 

 

Before the closing of the Jornadas, the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Theater at the Hotel Posada de la Misión, presented the Xinaxtli Theater Group from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco with the work “The Dogs,” which was written by Elena Garro.  Directed by Professor Layo Oviedo, the setting of the scenes reflected the reality of sexual violence that has occurred for a long time with women and girls in Mexico.  The Xinaxtli Theater Group was formed in 2008 at CEPE/UNAM – Taxco and since then has maintained a constant development and strength.  All of the participants are from Taxco (by origin or residence), taking up the challenge and compromising to be the most important University theater company in the city, made up of young actors including students, professionals, workers, men, and women.

 

 

With the participation of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco and its diverse academic and cultural offering in the 25th Jornadas Alarconianas, the National University reiterated its purpose in the state of Guerrero to strengthen and promote culture. 

The Jornadas Alarconianas was created by decree in 1987 as an objective to know the works of the playwright Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza, who was born in Taxco.  The natal city of Juan Ruiz de Alarcón constitutes Taxco as a theatrical city, and has been known as such since 2003, as its streets, the constrictions, and its corners continue to represent a great colonial scene.

 

The first Jornadas Alarconians was organized by the professor Héctor Azar.  Since then, the “National Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Playwright Award” has been established, granted by the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA) and the government of the state of Guerrero.  Today, the Jornadas Alarconianas unite the best national and international theater companies. 

The 25th through the 27th of May

CEPE/UNAM – Taxco receives young scholarship students from FONCA

As in every year, the installations of CEPE/UNAM –Taxco at the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo,” was the site for the work of the large group of scholarship students made up from the program “Young Creators” of the National Foundation of Culture and the Arts (FONCA), who met at this beautiful compound from the 16^th century.  They met for three days to analyze and strengthen their different artistic disciplines.

 

 

The program “Young Creators,” has as its objective to generate favorable conditions for the creative process of young Mexicans and to promote the fulfillment of original creative projects, with imaginative and new projects.  The program grants economic scholarships, offers guardianships, organizes the meeting of young creators, and encourages self-discipline.  The specialties that are covered are: theater, video, novel writing, screenplay writing, Native American languages, storytelling, poetry, creative essays, photography, and choreography, among others.

23rd of May

Students from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco finalize their intensive English courses.  

Another generation, integrated of 11 students, concluded their levels of intensive studies of English offered at CEPE/UNAM – Taxco for the local public.  Accompanied by friends and family, the students received a certificate accrediting them of their finalization of the English courses from this learning center. 

 

To finalize their studies, the students presented a video where they put into practice their skills acquired from the different levels that make up the intensive courses. 

After handing out the certificates, Professor Carmen Sotelo, the coordinator of the English department, and professor Roberto Cruz, the Academic Secretary of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco exhorted the students to continue with the English Language Improvement classes that form part of the cultural and academic activities that this educative center offers in the frame of the 20 year anniversary.

The 22nd of May through the 5th of June

Film Cycle: “Anti-corporate Documentaries” at CEPE/UNAM – Taxco.

In the frame of the 20th anniversary, the Learning Center for Foreign Students Campus Taxco from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (CEPE/UNAM – Taxco) presented the film cycle “Anti-corporate Documentaries” in the “Independence” Auditorium of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo.”

From the 22nd of May through the 5th of June three movies will be presented.  The first, “Comida S.A.,” directed by Robert Kenner, is a documentary about how the process of food is transported.  “Super Size Me,” directed by Morgan Spurlock, is a trip through the world of grease, obesity, and the effect of extreme fast food.  Finally, “Wal-Mart.  The High Cost of Low Prices,” directed by Robert Greenwald, is an excellent demonstration of the new battle in permanent war of North American consumers that are against the companies that continue to abuse the public with their monopolistic powers. 

This film cycle looked to promote a reflection about the effects and the reach of the economy on the market place in our daily lives.  The films selected demonstrated the influence of the big corporations in our consumer and nutritional habits, as well as the great power that they hold as conglomerates and the compulsive effects that their products have on the lives of the consumers and the natural environment.  

18th and 20th of May

CEPE UNAM – Taxco participates in the Fourth National Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza 2012 Silversmith Award

As part of the diverse activities that are carried out with the Silversmith School “Maestros de Taxco,” in the frame of the Fourth National “Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza 2012” Silversmith Award, CEPE/UNAM – Taxco invited the Doctors Eugenia Revueltas and Dolores Bravo, academics from the Philosophy of Language Department with the National University, to participate as special guests.  

 

In this context, on Friday the 18th of May, Doctors Revueltas and Bravo, accompanied by the Academic Secretary from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, Roberto Cruz, attended the reception that was for the welcoming and presentation of the judges for the award, among other authorities from the National Foundation for Artisan Promotion (FONART) and teachers from the “Maestros de Taxco” Silversmith School.  During the ceremony, the participants highlighted the relevance that each award formed in the creative work of the local artisans. 

In the same way, on Sunday the 20th of May the Doctors offered a discussion about the life and work of the playwright Juan Ruiz de Alarcón and received an award by the same name from the architect Claudia Cota, the director of the “Maestros de Taxco” Silversmith School and the silversmith teachers Ignacio Gómez, as a recognition of their academic development and work through the playwright from Taxco.

 

Finally, the doctors Eugenia Revueltas and Dolores Bravo inaugurated the exposition of works by the participants in the Fourth National “Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza 2012” Silversmith Award.  

With the help of FONART, the Municipal Government of Taxco de Alarcón, the Cultural Foundation Mario Uvence A.C., and CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, the Fourth National “Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza 2012” Silversmith Award strengthened the artisan activities of this traditional silversmith city.  

14th of May

Fusion Music in Taxco de Alarcón’s Zocalo

The learning center for foreign students – Campus Taxco from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (CEPE/UNAM – Taxco) in collaboration with the secretary of Community Services, the General Office of University Community of UNAM, and the Municipal Government of Taxco de Alarcón presented the group Brass Street Boys with an excellent concert of Fusion Music.

 

In the Zocalo of this silver city, the members of Brass Street Boys performed various musical pieces that captivated the public in attendance, mostly young people.  In addition to the new instrumentation, the group interacted with the public through comic scenes and choreography.

The Brass Street Boys formed in the year 2010 from the National School of Music from UNAM.  The good relations with the public motivated the members to continue with this project to form a professional group.  This ensemble is based with wind instruments accompanied by solid base rhythms.  The instruments that are used are the alto saxophone, the tenor saxophone, the trumpet, the trombone, the tuba, keyboard(s) and percussion.  Their music is a rich fusion of different generas from around the world, such as jazz, blues, funk, Latin, rock, reggae, traditional ska, and electronic.

11th of May

Silversmith Artisans receive support at the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo”

In the frame of the opening of the convocation of the Fourth National “Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza 2012” Award and with the finality of promoting the development of silversmith arts in Taxco, the National Foundation of Artisan Promotion (FONART) awarded financial assistance to aid silversmith artisans.  The meeting took place at the “Revolution” stage of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco.

During the event the director of the “Maestros de Taxco” Silversmith School, Claudia Cota, was present, along with representatives from the Municipal Government of Taxco, Claudia Espinosa, the delegated administrator of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, Antonio Ceja, and to represent FONART, Miguel Ángel Zenón and Ángel Garcia.  

The fourth National “Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza 2012” Silversmith award promoted by the “Maestros de Taxco” Silversmith School, intended to strengthen the artisan activities of this city that has a strong tradition in silversmith work.  

11th of May

The Xinaxtli Theater Group from CEPE/UNAM – Taxco participates in the 20th anniversary of the Vice Royal Art Museum of Taxco de Alarcón

As part of the recognition of the importance of the work done by the Vice Royal Art Museum of Taxco to promote different cultural and artistic manifestations in this city, and in the frame of the 20th anniversary, the National University, with the “Hernando Ruiz de Alarcón” Botanical Garden of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco, “Groups of Nature” was presented by the Xinaxtli Theater Group.

 

The spectacle presented by CEPE/UNAM – Taxco’s theater group showed a parade of people on ground and stilts, with costumes made by natural elements and materials of vegetable origin, such as seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits, an option to elaborate the theatrical wardrobe with organic materials.  

In addition to the parade, and to celebrate 20 years of intense cultural work, the director of the Vice Royal Art Museum, Saturnino Abarca, inaugurated an exposition integrated of works that best represent the permanent collection, among which include objects of sacred art from the 16th through 18th centuries.  

    

 

Accompanied by friends, workers from the Municipal Government of Taxco, representatives from the state and federal governments, Professor Saturnino Abarca highlighted the institutional collaborations that have been established with UNAM to promote culture and the arts in this city.

7th of May

CEPE/UNAM – Taxco acquires equipment for the conservation of the Municipal Historic Archives of Taxco

With the objective of maintaining optimal conditions for the Municipal Historic Archives of Taxco, protected by the National University since 1997, CEPE/UNAM – Taxco acquired and installed two special devices in a space where this important documental heritage is located. 

CEPE/UNAM – Taxco acquired a dehumidifier, used to absorb the humidity of the environment, toxins, or suspended particles in the air.  The equipment was installed in the air-conditioned area that was designated less than a year ago which is annexed to the “Juan Ruiz de Alarcón” Library.

 

 

The Municipal Historic Archives of Taxco is made up of heretical documents that are historic, linguistic, and social writings that date back to the year 1666 and include documents up to the final part of the 20^th century.  Because of the importance of the content, since the year 2009 CEPE/UNAM – Taxco in coordination with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), have worked in restoring, preserving, and digitalizing this historic patrimony made up of more than 400 thousand documents.

7th of May

Welcome for the Spanish students for the intensive Spring course

To begin the Spring II intensive Spanish course, Professor Javier Cuétara and Professor Roberto Cruz, the director and academic secretary of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco respectively, gave a welcome to the new group of foreign Spanish students, the majority originating from Canada.  The welcome was held in the “Independence” auditorium of the Ex Hacienda “El Chorrillo.”

During the welcome talk, the foreign students received basic information about their schedules and courses;  the life style in the city of Taxco; the cultural activities that are offered at CEPE/UNAM – Taxco and the instances in which they should ask for assistance to resolve doubts our unforeseen situations during their stay in Mexico.

Accompanied by the Spanish department, the academic secretary highlighted the importance for CEPE/UNAM – Taxco to receive foreign students interested in learning Spanish as a second language.

 

To finalize the talk, the 20 year commemorative video project of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco that was done by TV UNAM, which contributes historic and relevant information fundamental to the understanding of the evolution and the objectives of this university institution, was shown to the students.


20 aniversario CEPE/UNAM-Taxco 

3rd of May

Contemporary Dance with the South West Scenic Art Dance Company 

Under the direction of Stephanie García, the South West Scenic Art Dance Company presented choreography titled “Always Like This, Such As Now,” in the “Revolution” stage of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco.  This demonstration of contemporary dance intends to establish an analogy between the Laws of Newton and another force we call Love which moves profoundly in human relationships.

 

 

Through the use of their bodies, Lorena LópezAguado, Daniela Rochín, Stephanie García, and Hugo Martínez revealed different emotions about life, and the different forms of social oppression.  “Always Like This, Such As Now,” intends to respond to questions such as:  What are the forces that intervene in the process of human interrelations? What are the compulsions, the impulses, and the forces that stimulate and establish relationships and their connections or links? 

 

The South West Scenic Art Dance Company is supported by the “México en Escena” program with the National Center for the Arts (CENART), in the field of Graduate Support from the 2011 – 2012 period.  

The 1st through the 4th of May  

Continuing Education Course in Mexican Literature of the 19^th Century

As part of the educative and social labor of UNAM in Guerrero, CEPE/UNAM – Taxco offered a continuing education course called “Mexican Literature from the 19th Century.  Foundation and Evolution.”  It was held on the 1^st through the 4^th of May and was given by Professor Sara Martinez.  

The objective of this course was to proportion the reflection and analysis of the literary tradition from the 19th century in Mexico and to identify the distinctive characteristics of the literature from this period.  

 

During the course, the teachers that attended from the Spanish department of CEPE/UNAM – Taxco and from other educational institutions in the area, Professor Martinez recapped the literary historic tradition through the political context and from the ideas about literature from writers in this time period, as well as a brief account for the literary atmosphere of said period.  Finally, those in attendance read narrative texts.