the stairs of Teatro Juárez of the emblematic historical building of the city of Guanajuatoare fenced with a huge photographic image so that passers-by feel practically as if they were on the steps of the forum, so that they can take their traditional selfies.
The reason for this scenery is that behind it work is being done on the restoration of the centennial site. In the background, on the left exterior part of the building, enormous scaffolding was placed that covers the top of the theater, since the first stage has to be delivered in October, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the most important festival in the country and one of the five most relevant in Ibero-America.
Considering that the last major intervention of the Juarez Theater it was precisely when the space would celebrate its first century of existence (inaugurated in 1903), the restoration and modernization of said architectural jewel is a priority of Governor Diego Sinhué Rodríguez Vallejo, who, in order to avoid any tragedy, such as the fire that almost destroyed the Church of Notra-Dame, in Paris, requested resources from the State Congress: 161 million to cover the needs of the emblematic space, says Eduardo Vidaurri Aréchigachronicler of the city of Guanajuato.
The most cervantine city
Opposite the Teatro Juárez, inaugurated by then President Porfirio Díaz, is the Casa Valadez, the restaurant where playwright Enrique Ruelas Espinosa used to go, who founded 70 years ago the Cervantes Entremeses, which gave rise to the FIC.
Precisely here, indicates Vidaurri Aréchiga, it is located from 1997 a space with a photograph dedicated to Ruelas Espinosawho discovered in Guanajuato the propitious architectural setting to pay homage to the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.
In interview with MILLENNIUMthe chronicler assures that remembering the promoter of the staging of the Cervantine Entremeses in the Plaza de San Roque, who in 1952 began to work on the rehearsals so that they would be premiered at the beginning of 1953, will be fundamental in these 50 years of Cervantes Festival.
“The teacher Ruelas Espinosa had, surely, hundreds or thousands of conversations in this place so that Guanajuato would become a city more Cervantine than La Mancha”.
Ruelas is a Guanajuatense by adoption, in this city he staged his works, especially in the Juarez Theatersince 1938. He chose this city because he discovered the magic of its squares, its streets, which he was able to transform into settings.
“But he also found in Guanajuato those actors, housewives, butchers, teachers… spontaneous ones who have given life to the great work of Cervantes for seven decades, and who served as a motor to make the cultural structure work. only from Guanajuato, but from a large part of the country.”
The committee of the Cervantino International Festival will publish a book, a memory that will recover the vitality of these 50 years of FIC.
The issue will bring together a series of interviews with different characters from the city of Guanajuato, Mexico and the world who have participated in the so-called “Spirit Feast”.
“Artists from all disciplines and people from everyday life who have experienced the Cervantino International Festival for 50 years. A festival that is lived in the squares, in the streets and in the alleys of this city. And it must be said: there is no place in the world that gives so much importance to the work of Cervantes”, explains Vidaurri Arechiga.
The State Institute of Culture of the government of Guanajuato is promoting this publication.
“Naturally, the Guanajuato chronicle office will promote that feeling of society in the spaces that have been used and that have given life to the work of Cervantes; there will be the reflection of some actors who have participated since the early years of university theater productions, which are not only the Entremeses, but the works of the Golden age”.
recovery
The restoration of Juarez Theater It includes the renovation of the fire system, including electrical, rainwater and hydrosanitary installations.
Conditioning
Spaces will be conditioned for people with disabilities and for the elderly. There will be access for emergency exits.
modernization
Theatrical mechanics, the lighting system will be modernized and theatrical clothing will be changed. The restoration includes the façade and the ironwork and carpentry elements.
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