Yucatán
Mérida
Named the
“Cultural Capital of the Americas”
Over the past 475
years Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán, has been know as a Very
Noble and Very Loyal city. It
has accepted the idea of the indigenous and Spanish cultures for centuries, and
is now starting this new century with a Big “Bienvenidos”. From January 1st to December
31st, Mérida will also be known as the Cultural Capital of the
Americas, the first city to receive this distinction. This project has been successful thanks to the efforts of
the Cultural Capital of the Americas organization, established in Barcelona
(Spain) under the auspices of the Organization of the American States (OAS).
With this honor Mérida
will host a many cultural, artistic, academic, civic, sporting and scientific
activities throughout the Year 2000.
There is said to be planned over 3000 events and most of them are
free. Concerts with international
choirs, mass concerts and art
exhibits.
WHY MERIDA?
Mérida was selected
for four main reasons:
1.
It
is located in North America, with deep roots running as for south as Central
America.
2. There are several major pre-Columbian archaeological sites nearby.
3. The nomination was fully supported by the community.
4. The city’s project proposal was completely viable and fulfilled all the requirements for candidacy.
Mérida, the site of
the ancient city of T’Ho, is located in the heart of the Mayan World. It is said it received it’s name
because the Spaniards who first saw this Mayan city and the architectural
splendor were reminded of the Roman ruins located in the Spanish city of
Mérida, inspiring them to christen the New World counterpart with the same
name.
Today, the city of
Mérida is home of over 800,000 swelling to over a million during the week. Meridanos are heirs to a vast cultural
heritage that they proudly preserve and promote. In fact they run commercials on TV and radio asking all who
live there whether from the Yucatán or from somewhere else to adapt to the
customs of the Yucatán. The city
has fifty public libraries, four museums, fourteen theaters and other cultural
centers, and over nine hundred schools.
Ask much as it
pains me to quote him, Bill Clinton the U. S. President in is visit to Mérida
in February of 1999 said this: “Mérida looks to the North and to the
South. In many ways, this city
symbolizes the new, all encompassing community of the Americas: a community of
shared values and true cooperation.”
(I am glad he has good and perceptive writers working for him)
Why not consider Mérida
for your next vacation. Only 25
miles from the Golf of Mexico, a short drive to hundreds of Mayan ruins and
always a block away from a good restaurant.
Progreso
An important port town with a history of fishing. About 25 miles north of Mérida. There is a 6-mile long pier that receives and exports significant cargo. Many hope that it will be included on the cruise ship routes and Progreso is becoming a haven for snowbirds.
For many years Progreso's only claim to fame was its famous "temporada" Yucatecan summertime when many Meridanos head to their beach homes fro the months of July and August plus two weeks at Easter. Now between 2000 to 7000 tourists come and rent homes in the Progreso area and spend their winter months here in this tranquil beach area.
Progreso is where you will find just about everything you need hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, hospital, post office, police station, market, bus station, taxis, handicraft stores. It is only 25 minutes from the north side of Mérida and its malls, Sam's Club, hundreds of restaurants and theaters.
