Consul...ting

DECEMBER 2011 Publication of the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto

250 Artefacts from the Maya Civilization on

Display at the Royal Ontario Museum

On November 19, the exhibi-

tion "Maya: Secrets of their An-

cient World" opened at the ROM

to much acclaim. The exhibition

runs until April 9, 2012 at the

ROM before travelling to the

Canadian Museum of Civiliza-

tions (CMC) in Ottawa, where it

will be on display from May 18

to October 28, 2012.

A media preview featured

remarks from museum represen-

tatives, the exhibition's curators,

and officials from the Ontario

government.

This major exhibition was

created exclusively for Canada,

and is the result of a collabora-

tive effort between the Instituto

Nacional de Antropología e Historia de México

(INAH), the ROM and the CMC.

The show includes approximately 250 arte-

facts mainly originating from Mexico.

Many of the pieces have never been on ex-

hibit in Canada before, and some very recent

finds have never even been on display.

The exhibition features sculptures, masks,

pottery and other artefacts associated with

Maya cities, temples and palaces, many of

which date from the Maya Classic Period (250

to 900 DC). The variety of artefacts is enriched

by objects on loan from the ROM's collection,

as well as from museums in Europe and the

United States.

"The more we learn about the Maya, the more

we admire them," said Janet

Carding, Director of the ROM.

"Despite the shattering effect

of the Spanish Conquest, the

Maya civilization has managed

to preserve its language, its land

and its culture ever since," Card-

ing added.

Archaeologists Martha Cuevas

and Roberto López were the

curatorial team from the INAH

that joined their Canadian coun-

terparts Justin Jennings from the

ROM and Jean-Luc Pilon from

the CMC to curate the show.

The media preview was also

attended by Ontario's Minister of

Culture and Tourism, Michael

Chan, who remarked that there is

a real interest in learning about the achieve-

ments of past civilizations. "This is a part of

Mexican heritage

that we want to

learn more about."

Canadian curator

Justin Jennings said

that "through learn-

ing more about the

Maya, new details

emerge about how

they lived hundreds

of years ago."

Curator Roberto

López said that this

exhibition "was a

great opportunity to teach people new concepts

concerning the Maya."

Curator Martha Cuevas noted "one of the

great achievements of this civilization was the

development of a writing system and a calen-

dar, where they recorded events related to the

ajaw (ruler)."

The preview was also attended by the Ambas-

sador of Mexico to Canada, Francisco Barrio;

the Consul General to Toronto, Mauricio Tous-

saint; Miriam Kaiser, Director of Exhibitions

for the INAH; and Marco Carvajal, Director of

Museums in Campeche.

Ambassador Barrio commented that "for Ca-

nadians, this exhibition will spark more interest

in travelling to this region of Mexico."

Consul General Toussaint said that

"Canadians can increase their interest and

knowledge of Mexican people and their culture

through this exhibition."

The ROM is also offering a lecture series on

the Mayan cosmovision and art. The museum

recently reduced the price of admission by 30 to

38%. This discount applies to the cost of admis-

sion to the Maya exhibition.

O n

N o -

vember

24, the

Consu-

l a t e

G e n -

eral of

Mexico

in Toronto hosted a reception and guided tour

of the exhibition "Maya: Secrets of their An-

cient World."

Attendees included representatives from

cultural and financial organizations, academic

and diplomatic institutions, Mexican organiza-

tions, and businesses.

Speaking at the event were Consul General

Mauricio Toussaint and the Vice President of

the ROM, Dan Rahimi.

Among the guests were the Deputy Consul,

Santiago Mateos, and the ProMexico represen-

tative in Toronto, José Antonio Peral.

The event

was enli-

vened by a

performance

by the group

Café con Pan

and his son

jarocho from

Veracruz.

CG Mauricio Toussaint, Min. Michael Chang, Amb. Francisco Barrio, Janet Carding,

Justin Jennings and Roberto López

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Press Office

Isabel Inclán

Phone: (416) 368-2875 ext.238

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Page 2 Publication of the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto

The Manitoba Minister of En-

trepreneurship, Training and

Trade, Peter Bjornson, went on a

working visit to Mexico City,

Toluca and Guadalajara from

November 21-25 to learn about

business development and invest-

ment in those cities, explore pos-

sible areas of cooperation with

t h e

govern-

ment of

M a n i -

t o b a

and Manitoba Trade and Invest-

ment, and identify reciprocal

opportunities both for the prov-

ince and for the Mexican cities.

Minis-

t e r

Bjorn-

s o n

a l s o

met with the Director General for

North America, Eduardo Baca

Cuenca, and with the Director

General for International Eco-

nomic Cooperation and Promo-

tion, Nathan Wolf, both of whom

are officials from the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs.

Minister Bjornson was accom-

panied by Manitoba Trade and

Investment's Executive Director

Don Callis and Director Alfred

Durhack.

Manitoba Trade Minister Peter Bjornson Visited Mexico

The Consulate General of Mexico in To-

ronto informs that it is moving its offices to a

new location, in order to better serve the pub-

lic. Accordingly, the Consulate will be closed

to the public on December 8, 9, 12, 13 and

14, 2011.

We recommend that you take advantage of

our office hours on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm

to 4:30 pm to pursue any matters with the

Consulate. Appointments are required and can

be arranged by emailing:

citas@consulmex.com or by calling 416-368

28 75 ext.236.

The Consulate General's new address begin-

ning December 15, 2011 will be: 11 King

Street West, Suite 350, Toronto, ON, M5H

4C7 (at King subway station).

The telephone number will remain 416-368

28 75. For the above days when the Consulate

will be closed, the Consulate can be reached at

416-315 58 76, solely in case of emergency.

The Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto is Moving

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The Consulate General of Me-xico in Toronto

wishes you a very merry

Christmas, and hopes that the

New Year brings peace and harmony to every home