¡Viva Literature!
Is Mexico a narco state or a book lover’s paradise? It depends on what you read. [jump to UTNE Reader]
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Personalities
Meet Carlos Fuentes
Writer, narrator, playright and essayist. His work has been translated into a dozen languages and covers the entire genre range: novel, short story, essay, film and theater script.
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Personalities
April message
This month in adentrate, we begin an exploration of famous Mexican personalities in recent history -- writers, playwrights and actors, musicians and photographers. The bios you find here are courtesy of Dos Casas, a luxury boutique hotel in San Miguel de Allende. On the walls of their Wine Bar and Restaurant, you will find a tribute to the people who have passed through San Miguel de Allende, adding to the colorful heritage of the city. With their permission, we are reprinting their book, "Menu of Personalities", a compilation of biographies. A big thanks to Dos Casas! More »
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Mexican Cuisine
The Mystery of Oaxaca’s Mole
The French boast of their bearnaise. Indians are known for tantalizing curry, and Italians for rich, thick marinara. In Mexico, the undisputed national sauce is mole, an intoxicating blend of chocolate, chiles, garlic, onions and nuts and so much more.
"As far as I am concerned, it is one of a handful of classic sauces from around the world," said Richard Sandoval, author of Modern Mexican Flavors and chef at Maya in New York and San Francisco. "It's so potent, so powerful, yet in this country so misunderstood." More »
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Experience Mexican Culture
Sexy Bachata
Next time you're out listening to Latin music, you may hear this rhythmic music and see dancers moving in a fun, sexy style very different from salsa or cumbia. It's bachata!
Click to watch a selection of bachata music videos. More about the history of bachata after the jump. More »
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Historical Moments in Mexico
21 de enero
Ignacio Allende's birthday is January 21st. Allende is a national hero of Mexico and many places and streets including San Miguel de Allende were named for him. Allende was a captain of the Spanish Army in Mexico who came to sympathize with the Mexican independence movement.
He attended the secret meetings organized by Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, where the possibility of an independent New Spain was discussed. He fought along with Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the first stage of the struggle, eventually succeeding him in leadership of the rebellion. Allende was captured by Spanish colonial authorities while he was in Chihuahua and executed for treason. More »
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There's a Word for it in Mexico
Abrazo
Ritual of the Embrace
One Mexican custom that has a subtle but profound influence on personal relationships, which nurtures friendships and helps fulfill the deepest emotional needs, is the abrazo (as-BRAH-zoh).
As practiced by Mexicans today the abrazo has been formalized for convenience. Your right arm goes over the left arm of the other person. Your left arm, in turn goes under the other person's right arm. Both persons tilt their heads to the left, so they are looking over the other person's right shoulder. The embrace is accompanied by patting the other person's back with the right hand. More »
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What's Happening in Mexico
La Rosca de Reyes
On January 6th Three King's Bread or Rosca de Reyes is a sweet bread traditionally served during family gatherings. This colorful bread has a baby Jesus doll baked inside. The person who gets the doll in their piece of bread provides the food and drink for the next celebration, La Candeleria on February 2. More »
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