Bilateral Milestone in Trade, Kolkata Hosts Mexico’s World Heritage

• Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata hosts Mexican photography exhibition by Adalberto Ríos Szalay
• The photographs portray the rich cultural heritage of Mexico with images mentioned in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites
• India and Mexico attained a new milestone crossing of bilateral trade reaching USD 10 billion in the FY 2018
• Mexico is also the second biggest trade partner of India in America after the USA
• With a 20% rise in bilateral trade in FY 2017-18, there has been a 74% rise in the trade since 2015 between the countries
• Mexico has the largest number of heritage sites in the American continent and is ranked 7^th in the world, just after India which has 37 sites listed

By Didhiti Ghosh, Bureau Chief (Kolkata), Indian Observer Post

Kolkata, April 20, 2019: A photo-exhibition of images by the Mexican Adalberto Ríos Szalay portraying the UNESCO World Heritage sites and practices of Mexico was organised at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata.

Szalay is also a writer from the Mexican state of Morelos who, for 42 years, has dedicated himself to documenting the biodiversity, pluriculturalism and the heritage of Mexico and Latin America. The event is an initiative to boost bilateral cultural ties, in the time when the two countries of India and Mexico attained a new milestone crossing of bilateral trade reaching USD 10 billion in the FY 2018.

The forum was on display at the Central Gallery, Academy of Fine Arts, (Kolkata) from 5^th April to 15^th April 2019.

“Mexico in the World Heritage”, a collection of 44 photographs by the Mexican photographer Adalberto Ríos Szalay was organized by the Embassy of Mexico in India, in collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata.

Szalay’s work has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades throughout the world, including UNESCO’s Award for Excellence in Photography, on the occasion of the United Nations’ International Year for Tolerance.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Nandita Palchoudhury, Member, Board of Trustee, Academy of Fine Arts (Kolkata) in the presence of Santiago Ruy Sánchez, Head of Culture and Tourism Affairs, Embassy of Mexico in India, and Sumit Mazumder, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Kolkata, along with distinguished guests from the diplomatic and cultural community, as well as photography and art enthusiasts.

Commenting on the significance of showcasing this unique exhibition, Mr Sánchez mentioned the intent of Mexico to share its cultural wealth with the rest of the world - “We want to share with our friends in India this immense Mexican cultural and historical wealth, especially with those who do not have the opportunity to see it in the country of origin. It is not only a cultural exhibition, but also a touristic exhibition."

Mexico Exhibition (L-R)- Santiago Ruy Sanchez, Nandita Palchoudhury, Sumit Mazumder

The photographs by Adalberto Ríos Szalay offer a glimpse into the rich architecture, art, people and culture of the country, as well as a series of natural and cultural spaces, including the beautiful Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, the Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco, and the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán.

The exhibition also depicts the Mexican gastronomy and mariachi music, which are listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

With an astounding diversity of natural and cultural heritage, as of 2018 Mexico is home to 35 World Heritage Sites considered by UNESCO to be of outstanding value to humanity.

Mexico has the largest number of heritage sites in the American continent and is ranked 7^th in the world, just after India which has 37 sites listed.

The purpose of this photo-exhibition is to initiate creative dialogues between Mexico and India and to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange on restoration, conservation, and promotion of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.

The “Mexico in the World Heritage” photo-exhibition has been organized with the kind support of the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Kolkata.

(DIDHITI GHOSH is the Director of a cultural-exchange radio programme at Radio Satelitevisión y Americavisión, Chile. She is a professor & a certified conference interpreter of the Spanish language and is the Bureau Chief of INDIAN OBSERVER POST based in Kolkata. Contact: didhiti.24@gmail.com)

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK - https://bit.ly/2SlmpLA

IOP TEAM & WRITERS - https://bit.ly/2LxOU2I