Paris1972-Versailles2003

And here I am taking you back to Mexico and one great cultural spot. I happened to stayed near it on several occasions and did enjoy a show inside. A wonderful Teatro de los Insurgentes or the Insurgents theater of Mexico city.

With its 30 km of length (50 if the newest extensions are taken into account), the Avenida de los Insurgentes crosses the city from north to south and is the most important thoroughfare in Mexico City. Originally known as Vía del Centenario in the 1900s and renamed in the late 40s to honour the Ejército de los Insurgentes (Insurgent army – guerrilla army in this case), whose help was crucial for independence, a walk along its pavements is like walking through Mexico’s history and present.

In it, you find the Teatro de los Insurgentes  located on Av. Insurgentes Sur, 1587, corner with calle Mercaderes, Colonia  San José Insurgentes, Delegación Benito Juárez, Mexico DF.

It was built in 1953 as part of a program of urban renewal. The muralist Diego Rivera painted La historia del teatro, (history of the theater) a visual history of the theater in Mexico on the building’s façade which is 46 meters by 10 meters and the theater holds 1,141 seats on a single floor. The painting is made with synthetic material, with the dry flattening technique, to be covered with glass mosaic slabs that, were worked in the mosaic workshops of Italy.

The artist Rivera , placed the character of Cantinflas (one of Mexico and Spanish speaking world best comedian actor) in the center of the mural in the form of a Robin Hood figure, distributing the wealth of the rich to the poor. The first work presented was Yo Colón by Alfredo Robledo and Carlos León, directed by Ernesto Finance and starring Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” whose image is incorporated in the center of the aforementioned mural. In the pre-Hispanic theater representation there are two dancing musicians, a priest dressed in the ritual of sacrifice, of the pastorela: a devil, an angel and perhaps Fernández de Lizardi. Of modern works, two by Rodolfo Usigli stand out: Corona de sombra in the sequence of Maximiliano and Carlota, and El Gesticulador. There is also a scene from Los de Abajo (the lower casts of people).

At the Olympic Games of Mexico City 1968 , the theater was adapted to host Weightlifting competitions. 4 areas were made: the spectator area, an area for competitions, an area for training and an annex for warmups.

In 1993, with the restoration of the Rivera mural as the main motive, it was decided to carry out a total renovation project of the theater to adapt and revitalize it. The transformation involved most of the spaces: the central staircase that formerly received the attendees was removed to achieve greater transparency and space; the bar and candy store were re-located in the mezzanine and the area freed after this change, allowed the creation of a ramp that allows access to people with disabilities. The mechanical, acoustic, lighting and isoptic conditions of the auditorium were also improved to modernize it and adapt it structurally to the new regulations established. The program also included the construction of an additional building to create rehearsal, makeup, wardrobe and storage spaces.

Showing theatre performance and practical information on the Teatro de los Insurgentes : https://carteleradeteatro.mx/teatro/sur/teatro-de-los-insurgentes/

The tourist office of Mexico city  on the Teatro de los Insurgentes: http://cdmxtravel.com/es/lugares/teatro-de-los-insurgentes.html

Some additional tourist sites of  Mexico to help you plan your trip here and you should are

The Tourist office of Mexico on Mexico City: https://www.visitmexico.com/en/mexico-city/mexico-city

The Atlas turistico of Mexico City : https://atlasturistico.sectur.gob.mx/AtlasTuristico/inicio.do

So, there you have it , a wonderful theater, with history, architecture and great shows indeed. Oh mine was Héctor Suárez con Macaria: El show. A great comedy by one of the best of Mexico, Héctor Suàrez.

Hope you enjoy the post and do indulge yourselves in the arts of Mexico and DF or Ciudad de Mexico; the Teatro de los Insurgentes is tops for it.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

Ok so looking at my pictures in my vault of memories found some that needs to be shown in my blog, for the memories, souvenirs, nice times spent with good friends over the years. This is Mexico City , DF distrito federal and I am glad was here!

While doing my road warrior runs of Mexico City I passed by several nice monuments that with press time could not go in or closer but nevertheless saw them and need to be in my blog. I like to tell you a bit more of the sights of Mexico City!

The Monumento a los Niños Héroes or Monument to the Boy Heroes, officially Altar a la Patria or Altar to the Homeland, is a monument commemorating the Niños Héroes or boys heroes, installed in Chapultepec park.  The six cadets are honored by an imposing monument made of Carrara marble at the entrance to Chapultepec Park. This semicircular monument with six columns, placed at what was the end of the Paseo de la Reforma, a major thoroughfare leading from the central square ,the Zócalo to Chapultepec park. It contains a niche in each of its columns with an urn holding the remains of one of the cadets . In addition, the remains of Colonel Felipe Santiago Xicoténcatl (a colonel in the Mexican Army under president Antonio López de Santa Anna. It is said that Lt. Col. Xicoténcatl in the battle of Chapultepec, refusing the idea of letting the American forces capture the Mexican flag identifying his battalion and severely wounded, wrapped himself with the flag and died beside his men.) were placed in the center of the monument below the main statue. The monument is dedicated to the combatants against the United States invasion with the phrase: “To the Defenders of the Fatherland 1846-1847”. The monument’s official name is Altar a la Patria (Altar to the Homeland), but it is better known as the Monumento a los Niños Héroes (Monument to the Boy Heroes) and many official texts use the popular name instead of the official name.

The Iglesia Carmelitas Descalzas or Church of Barefooted Carmelites was built by Fray Andrés de San Miguel between 1615 and 1626, who belonged to the order of the barefoot Carmelites, a legion that sought to recover the austerity and devotion that gave rise to the brotherhood. The construction included a college and monastery for men. After the 1858 reform in which the nationalization of the church’s assets was decreed, the college was closed and its custody passed to the city of Mexico. A part of these lands were used as jail, barracks and other functions. As of July 7, 1921, the Ministry of Public Education decreed that the former convent was the Museum of El Carmen, the temple continues to be a church.

More info in Spanish on the barefoot carmelites in Mexico here: https://www.ocd.org.mx/archivo-historico

The Palacio de Bellas Artes or Palace of Fine Arts is considered the most important in the manifestation of the arts in Mexico and one of the most renowned opera houses in the world. This has been the scene and witness of shocking artistic, social and political events. Its construction began on the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of the beginning of the Independence of Mexico, however it was concluded and inaugurated until November 29, 1934 due to the Mexican Revolution. It is a multifunctional building, so it houses various stages and artistic spaces such as the Palace of Fine Arts Museum and the National Museum of Architecture. The first permanently exhibits 17 mural works by seven national artists executed from 1928 to 1963, including Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and José Clemente Orozco, being the oldest in the country dedicated to national plastic production. Likewise, it is the headquarters of the National Symphony Orchestra, the National Opera Company or Fine Arts Opera, the National Dance Company and the Folkloric Ballet of Mexico.. As an institution, it depends on the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), part of the Ministry of Culture of the federal government of Mexico.

This was the closest to visit as a local friend had ticket to see a performance by Mexican star Thalia here ,but last minute needs did not allow me to come in. Nevertheless, the story stays as an anecdote of my visits to Mexico City.  Metro station Bellas Artes on lines 2 and 8 Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10h to 17h. It is located at Avenida Juàrez just off Paseo de la Reforma. More info here: http://museopalaciodebellasartes.gob.mx/

Now I feel better, another nice monuments with nice memories of my visits to wonderful Mexico City. Always looking forward to be back into normal times. Hope you enjoy the post , to seek off the beaten paths sights of Mexico City.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!