It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to address the visitors of our website and share some thoughts on the mission conferred to me by President Felipe Calderón as Ambassador of Mexico to the United Kingdom.

Over the past two decades I have had the honour to represent my country in six different nations, five of them in Europe.

Those experiences have convinced me of the exceptional opportunities that this part of the world offers to a country like Mexico, deeply committed to the same values and aspirations that have shaped the nations of this continent: democracy, human rights and international cooperation.

For Mexico, the relationship with the UK has three fundamental angles: the one pertaining strictly to the bilateral relationship, and those derived from the British role in the international scene in general and in the European Union in particular.

The Association of Cultural Attaches of Latin America, Spain and Portugal (ACALASP) in collaboration with Foyles bookshop is proud to present the 1 Festival of Ibero American Literature aimed to promote and celebrate the literature of the region.
ACALASP has created an event will present a unique combination of sessions in which renowned academics from the UK and abroad will discuss not only historic or gender topics but also other essential subjects such as the relationship between cinema and literature or the challenges of literary translation.
Audiences will also have the unique opportunity to learn more about recent works by upcoming Latin American writers plus a special session with the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner, Junot Díaz.
For more information please visit:
www.acalasp.org.uk, www.foyles.co.uk
10-15 November 2009
Foyles, 113-119 Charing Cross
London WC2H 0EB

The Cuarteto Latinoamericano is one of the world’s leading string quartets. Founded in 1981, this award winning quartet is formed by Mexican musicians and brothers violinists Saúl and Arón and cellist Álvaro, along with violinist Javier Montiel.
For one day only, they will perform at the Bolívar Hall on 24 November at 7.30pm with guest pianist Alberto Portugheis. This concert is supported by the Embassy of Mexico in the UK and Opus Música will feature a programme with music by Heitor Vila-Lobos, Silvestre Revueltas, Javier Álvarez and Alberto Ginastera, among others.
The quartet has performed worldwide and with leading orchestras such as Los Angeles Philarmonic, Dallas Symphony and the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela to mention just a few.
Nominated for a Grammy award in 2002 in the field of Best Chamber Music Recording as well as for a Latin Grammy, this is a unique opportunity to experience the Cuarteto Latinoamericano in London.

Bolivar Hall
54 Grafton Way
London W1T 5DL
Free entrance.

25th edition of Mexico Today.  

MEXICO TODAY NO.25

Luz y Fuerza del Centro faced an unsustainable financial situation. During the last nine years, due to its disability to generate its own earnings and reduce its financial costs, the annual subsidies that it received quadruplicated, reaching this year 42 thousand million pesos. The operation of this Organism is inefficient and of low productivity. The electric service provided to homes and industries in the country’s center region was deficient, which limited the development of productive investments that generate employment in this region.

Mexico has a vast range of festivals, several commemorating national events but mostly religious or spiritual in inspiration. After the Spanish Conquest of 1521, Roman Catholic teachings fused with the beliefs of native civilizations, and even today the popular arts and crafts draw upon the Church as a rich source of imagery. Fiestas are often lavish and extremely costly. With extensive preparations, they commemorate local saints’ days and religious holidays such as Christmas, Carnival and Holy Week.

As part of the Mexican Season, from 2 October and until 19 December, the renowned David Roberts Art Foundation in London will host the exhibition Sculpture of the Space Age inspired in the fictional exhibition mentioned by J.G. Ballard in his short story The Object of the Attack published in 1984.

The exhibition curated by Raimundas Malasauskas presents new work of international artists including Mexican Mario García Torres, winner of the prestigious Cartier Prize 2007.

For more information please click on the press release or visit www.davidrobertsartfoundation.com

 This year, Mexico was put to the test

• During the last year, several circumstances put the strength of our institutions and our society to the test, such as the global economic crisis, the emergence of the A(H1N1) virus, the virulence of the organized crime gangs, a reduction in oil production and falling oil prices on the international market, and the impact of one of the worst droughts seen in decades.
• The federal government has faced the challenges that have arisen and, at the same time, has led Mexico toward sustainable human development.

The celebration will take place on Tuesday, 15 September at the Porchester Hall (www.porchesterhall.co.uk), located in Porchester Road, Bayswater, London W2, from 8pm to 11.50pm.

 no tickets will be sold at the venue.

The sections below provide health and travel advice and more information on what swine flu is and what the British government is doing to help combat it.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_178842.htm

The Mexican delegation took part in the Sustainability Policy Exchange Forum held in England.

The Mexican delegation, led by Semarnat Under-Secretary of Environmental Promotion and Regulations Sandra Herrera, concluded its working visit to the United Kingdom, where it participated in the Sustainability Policy Exchange Forum held in England.

 The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has won the prestigious Principe de Asturias Prize in recognition of been one of the finest universities in the world.

UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and the Embassy of Mexico co-hosted the press launch - on World Environment Day 2009 - of a major new report by UNEP on the role of ecosystems in climate mitigation.

Along with the host, Ambassador of Mexico, His Excellency Juan José Bremer, were present Dr Monika MacDevette, Deputy Director UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Dr Kate Trumper, UNEP-WCMC, Dr Pete Manning, the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, Imperial College London, Dr Geertje van der Heijden, the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, Imperial College London, and Professor Michael Stocking, member of Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility and Dr Simon Buckle, Director of Climate Policy, the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, Imperial College London.

If you want to learn more about the report, please visit www.unep-wcmc.org

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, invite children who identify themselves with Mexico, to participate in the 13^th edition of the Éste es mi México children’s drawing contest.

Professor Alejandro Madrigal is now President-Elect of EBMT, the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and will take office as President in 2010, for a four year term. Professor Madrigal received a massive 164 votes from research centres around Europe for his election to the position.

http://www.sre.gob.mx/becas/

The Embassy of Mexico whishes to inform that it has been in permanent contact with the public, particularly with the British Government, Members of Parliament, editors, journalists and correspondents, and the Mexican community in the UK, including the Mexican student societies, updating them on the new developments of the outbreak of the epidemic disease Influenza A(H1N1) and the measures taken by the government to mitigate it. The Embassy and its Consular Section have been working normally, even during the holydays, and ready to inform and assist the public.

Joint Press Release

After a series of successful presentations in European and American festivals, the opera prima by Ernesto Contreras, Párpados Azules (Blue Eyelids) will be released in May at cinemas across the UK.

Monday, April 27, 2009 | Special Events/Communications

• Flu alert raised to level four

• Drop in flu cases in Mexico over past few hours

• No restriction on movement of persons or goods

http://www.sre.gob.mx/medidas/BI20090426i.pdf

TOURISM BOARD PRESS RELEASE

This exhibition is a portrayal of 12 years in the life of a graphic designer but also a nocturnal memory for many others.
 
Almost on a serendipitous way, Julieta Hernandez’s work has always been drawn to design flyers for music related events, mainly club nights.
 

In the context of the official State visit of the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón

Hinojosa to the UK, ProMéxico organized 3 Special Missions where 63 Mexicans

conformed them with a total of 17 events and an attendance of over 500 people.

ProMéxico had the opportunity to co-organize these events with 20 institutions and with

54 presentations from leaders of diverse sectors. ProMéxico facilitated 60 “one to

one” meetings and distributed more than 300 promotional materials.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | Press Release

Los Pinos
CGCS-044

In response to the invitation sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, President Felipe Calderón will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 29 to April 1, 2009. During her address to Parliament in January, Queen Elizabeth II mentioned Mexico as the only state invitation planned for this year so far. This State Visit will be the first by a Mexican president since 1985.

On Monday 30, the Mexican president and his wife Margarita Zavala will be officially received by British Head of State Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh at the Horse Guards' Parade of Buckingham Place at a ceremony with the protocol that the Palace and the British Government confer on visiting heads of state. As part of the welcome ceremony, which is politically significant for both countries, President Felipe Calderón will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey and Queen Elizabeth II will host a luncheon in his honor.

A talk on Edward James and his surrealist gardens at Las Pozas, Xilitla, SanLuis Potosi, will take place at Canning House, 2 Belgrave Square at 6pm this Thursday, 12 February.

Richard Maudslay, Chairman, British Mexican Society, hopes you will be able to join.

Mexican Housing Day will be held for the sixth consecutive year in New York and for the third time in London on February 6 and 9, repectively, providing Mexican government officials and private entrepreneurs an opportunity to present the challenges and prospects of the Mexican housing sector to the international financial and business community.

To learn more or register online: http://mexicanhousingday.com

On January 18 Mexicana inaugurated its first direct flight between Mexico City and London. This route gives Mexicana passengers access to one of the world’s major business and tourism destinations, and will strengthen cultural and business ties between Mexico, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.

Initially, Mexicana will fly from Mexico City on Wednesdays and Saturdays returning to Mexico City from London on Thursdays and Sundays. As of February 17, Mexicana will also fly to London on Tuesdays and Fridays to Mexico City returning on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

 Building on the country’s expertise on the automobile industry, in few years Mexican companies have upgraded their R&D and manufacturing capabilities to produce aerospace parts such as engine components, landing gear, audio and video systems, harnesses and cables, among many others. Primes of the size of Honeywell and Bombardier have contributed to the development of strong supply chains and to the growth of the industry, as it expanded from exports value of 70 million pounds (US$100 million) in 2004 to around 400 million pounds (US$600 million) in 2007. Nowadays, the Mexican aerospace industry gathers more than 200 companies and employs over 25,000 workers.

Ambassador Juan José Bremer along with Manuel Díaz-Cebrián, Head of the Mexican Tourism Board  in UK (MTBUK) hosted a reception to announce the launching of the first edition of Mexico City & the Best of Mexico Time Out Guide.

The guide was possible thanks to the collaboration of the MTB and the great team Time Out Publication department. The guide offer essential tips, trusted advice and honest reviews for everything that the traveller needs to know in the city and nearby states of Mexico. Those include sightseeing, eating out, shopping and detailed maps. The guide will be on sale from December and later on translated into other languages.

The Embassy of Mexico to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has opened a book of condolence in memory of Juan Camilo Mouriño, Minister of the Interior, and other civil servants, who lost their lives in the tragic events of November 4. The book will be available for members of the public to sign from November the 10^th to the 14^th, from 9 to 17 hrs, at the Embassy of Mexico, 16 Saint George Street, Hanover Square (W1S 1FD), tel. 020 74 99 85 86.

On the 10^th of November, at the ExCel exhibition centre of London, Ambassador Juan José Bremer, along with Mr. Oscar Fitch, Director General of the Mexican Tourism Board, officially inaugurated the Mexican pavilion at the World Travel Market. Also were present Mr. Ney González, Governor of the Estate of Nayarit, and Mr. Manuel Díaz-Cebrián, Head of the Mexican Tourism Board office in London.

Mr. Antonio Prida, Mrs. Marcela Bremer, H.E. Ambassador Juan José Bremer and Mrs. Alexandra Haas

On the 21^st of October, the ProMéxico offices in London celebrated their official inauguration, launched in the presence of H.E. Juan José Bremer, Ambassador of Mexico to the United Kingdom, and José Antonio López Malo, Economic Development Minister to the state of Puebla in Mexico, who participated as guests of honour. Furthermore, envoys from the Mexican Tourism Promotion Council in London and Nacional Financiera, the Mexican development bank, were also present for the inauguration.

Come and celebrate your pre-Christmas party with a real Mexican Posada

From 4-7 November, the Festival of the Moving Image 2008 has as main theme Cities in Film. With the collaboration of the Mexican Embassy and the Mexican Film Institute, the  programme will include the screening of acclaimed films: Rojo Amanecer (Red Dawn), Como Agua para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) and Amores Perros. Plus a round table on Literature in film with the presence of renowned critics and filmmakers.

For more information and timetables please visit: www.thefestivalofthemovingimage.co.uk

As part of the literary programme of the Cultural Affairs Office of the Mexican Embassy, renowned short story writer and novelist Ana García Bergua will tour the UK to talk about her work in the framework of contemporary Mexican narrative.

Ambassador Juan Jose Bremer led the commemoration events of the 198th anniversary of Mexico’s independence. The night of September 16 took place the traditional “independence call upon the people” at the Porchester Hall in London before 600 members of the Mexican community. The day after, also in London, the Embassy of Mexico to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland hosted an official reception with the attendance of the diplomatic corps along with other British authorities.

October and November will bring a unique opportunity for the public to immerse in the work of the renowned Mexican artist, Rafael Lozano Hemmer.

From 15 October to 15 November, the prestigious Haunch of Venison gallery will present an outstanding exhibition on Lozano Hemmer’s recent work as well as a new installation created specifically for this show.

5 SEPTEMBER

UK BUSINESS ENCOURAGED TO TURN ITS HEAD TO MEXICO

UK businesses have been urged by Lord Digby Jones, Minister for Trade and Investment, to look beyond the stereotypes of Mexico and see the growing investment potential. His comments are supported by Goldman Sachs who predicts that by 2040 Mexico will be the 5^th largest economy in the world.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 |  

Sapporo, Japan
Leaders agree to reinforce international cooperation to cope with food price increases Mexico’s proposal to create Green Fund welcomed.
In a press statement at the end of the G-5 meeting, President Felipe Calderón stated that the food price increases require greater participation by the international community to diagnose problems and provide solutions.