2007 Universal Forum of Cultures
Encyclopedia
The Universal Forum of Cultures Monterrey 2007 was an international civil-society event that took place in the city of Monterrey
, Mexico, starting on September and ending in December of mentioned year. The Forum, as it is commonly referred to, is a global event which takes place every 4 years, in a different city each time, and seeks to reunite citizens from a varied range of cultures, languages, religions to foster inter-cultural dialogue and to promote global civil society
empowerment. This massive event gathered an approximate 4 million visitors to Monterrey
, and was mostly free of charge.
, Spain. The mayor of Barcelona identified that, after the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games
, there was a large number of international events that fostered competition. On the other hand, there was no event dedicated to empowering civil society
or focused on the celebrations of the arts and culture. The proposal to create such an event was then presented in 1997 to UNESCO
by the delegation of Spain, and unanimously approved by all member states represented in the Organization.
In 1999, UNESCO
signed a cooperation agreement with the Forum Foundation, that established the Organization as the chief partner and main sponsor of the event.
In 2004, Barcelona
hosted the first Universal Forum of Cultures: Barcelona 2004, which lasted 141 days and established the event as the major global gathering for arts, culture and dialogues. Upon concluding the 2004 Forum, the Forum Foundation selected the city of Monterrey
, Mexico to host the 2007 Forum. Other candidate cities in the race included important venues such as Amsterdam
, Montreal
, Durban
, and Fukuoka
.
In 2005, during UNESCO
's 33rd General Conference it was decided that UNESCO
would again be the main partner of the Forum providing technical assistance and promotion of the Forum with international governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGO).
. This topic was proposed by the 2007 Monterrey Forum, as it was not debated in Barcelona 2004.
, and peace amongst peoples and nations. Keeping in mind at all times that there can be no peace where basic needs have not been satisfied.
The 8 Themed Weeks of Forum Dialogues were:
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Some of the most relevant shows and performers that were presented during the Forum included:
Some of these Special Projects and Events included the following:
was the central venue for the 2007 Universal Forum of Cultures. However, this is not the only venue that hosted the more than 1000 activities that took place during the 80-day event. There are approximately 20 distinct venues that were located through the entire city. Some of the most relevant ones included:
The biggest firework show ever seen on Latin America was the closure to the forum, with over 1,500 KG on artificial fireworks.
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
, Mexico, starting on September and ending in December of mentioned year. The Forum, as it is commonly referred to, is a global event which takes place every 4 years, in a different city each time, and seeks to reunite citizens from a varied range of cultures, languages, religions to foster inter-cultural dialogue and to promote global civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
empowerment. This massive event gathered an approximate 4 million visitors to Monterrey
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
, and was mostly free of charge.
Historical background
The Universal Forum of Cultures project was born in the year of 1996 in the city of BarcelonaBarcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain. The mayor of Barcelona identified that, after the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
, there was a large number of international events that fostered competition. On the other hand, there was no event dedicated to empowering civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
or focused on the celebrations of the arts and culture. The proposal to create such an event was then presented in 1997 to UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
by the delegation of Spain, and unanimously approved by all member states represented in the Organization.
In 1999, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
signed a cooperation agreement with the Forum Foundation, that established the Organization as the chief partner and main sponsor of the event.
In 2004, Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
hosted the first Universal Forum of Cultures: Barcelona 2004, which lasted 141 days and established the event as the major global gathering for arts, culture and dialogues. Upon concluding the 2004 Forum, the Forum Foundation selected the city of Monterrey
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
, Mexico to host the 2007 Forum. Other candidate cities in the race included important venues such as Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, and Fukuoka
Fukuoka, Fukuoka
is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu in Japan.Voted number 14 in a 2010 poll of the World's Most Livable Cities, Fukuoka is praised for its green spaces in a metropolitan setting. It is the most populous city in Kyushu, followed by...
.
In 2005, during UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
's 33rd General Conference it was decided that UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
would again be the main partner of the Forum providing technical assistance and promotion of the Forum with international governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGO).
Main Objectives of the 2007 Forum
The main objectives of the Universal Forum of the Cultures Monterrey 2007, were the following:- To establish a Dialogue from a civil-society viewpoint, on the most relevant and urgent matters in the Global Agenda.
- To empower international civil society in becoming relevant actors in the decision-making process in their local communities.
- To promote interconnection and dialogues between the cultures of the modern world.
- To know the world through multiple perspectives and distinct cultures.
- To generate consciousness and commitment to adopt sustainable ways of life for our planet and our societies.
Core Concepts
The Universal Forum of Cultures Monterrey 2007 revolved around 4 Core Concepts or Axis. These 4 topics sum up the vast majority of issues and problems faced by global civil society and will remain, according to experts, the most urgent and relevant working areas for the global community. The 4 Core Concepts of the 2007 Forum were:- Cultural DiversityCultural diversityCultural diversity is having different cultures respect each other's differences. It could also mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole...
- SustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
- KnowledgeKnowledgeKnowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
- PeacePeacePeace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
Cultural Diversity
The existence of cultural diversity in the world is an undeniable fact. People often coexist with others who share different beliefs, traditions and customs. Forum seeks to provide knowledge of the circumstances in which others live, new ways to see the world, respect our planet, and seek social advancement. Forum allowed us to understand the particular elements which entail the richness of our modern world, and seeks to identify the differences between cultures, to promote a respectful, peaceful coexistence.Sustainability
Sustainability is an issue of major transcendence in the contemporary world, which needs to find new options for economic, social, and cultural development; seeking an improved utilization of natural resources for the benefit of the planet and its inhabitants. Forum took on this sensitive topic not only from an environmental perspective, but from a wide spectrum of approaches.Knowledge
Knowledge is a human construction designed to organize and convey our experiences in the world. The challenge is learning how to make the best use of it so we can achieve an effective improvement in our quality of lifeQuality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
. This topic was proposed by the 2007 Monterrey Forum, as it was not debated in Barcelona 2004.
Peace
Paving a way for peace does not only mean preventing armed warfare. In the Universal Forum of Cultures, new dialogues on peace were instituted on all levels. Peace with ourselves and the people around us, peace with our ecosystemEcosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
, and peace amongst peoples and nations. Keeping in mind at all times that there can be no peace where basic needs have not been satisfied.
Activities and Events for the 2007 Forum
The 4 Core Concepts of the Monterrey 2007 Forum were carried out in 4 separate activities programmes. These were:- Dialogues
- Exhibitions
- Cultural Expressions and
- Special Projects and Events
Dialogues
The Forum Dialogues took place in the form of lectures, seminars, debates, symposium, international encounters, and other types of activities. The Dialogues were broken down into 8 continuous weeks of events, with more than 350 world level speakers and experts, and carried out in Themed Weeks. That meant, that during each particular week, all the Forum Dialogues were centered in one single topic, tackled from various angles and perspectives. There were 12 main topics, organized in 8 weeks of events.The 8 Themed Weeks of Forum Dialogues were:
- Week 1: Peace and Spirituality, from September 25 to September 29
- Week 2: Education. Science and Technology, from October 2 to October 6
- Week 3: Cities and Population. Natural Resources, from October 9 to October 13
- Week 4: Knowledge-Based Development, from October 16 to October 20
- Week 5: Health Culture and Life Quality, from October 23 to October 27
- Week 6: Government, Participation. Human Rights and Justice, from October 30 to November 3
- Week 7: Identity. Diversity and Cultural Policies, from November 6 to November 10
- Week 8: Communication, from November 13 to November 17
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Exhibitions
The 2007 Monterrey Forum did also present 16 grand exhibitions, that allowed the participants to experience the topics and concerns of the modern world via an interactive experience. Many of the Forum Exhibitions were planned and created only for this event. The exhibitions offered at the event were:- Isis and the Feathered Serpent, produced by Miguel Angel Fernandez and curated by Zahi Hawass and Eduardo Matos, was presented in the West Wing of the Nave Lewis Exposition Centre. This exhibition presented for the first time, the similarities of two great deities, IsisIsisIsis or in original more likely Aset is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic...
in EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and has the meaning of "feathered serpent". The worship of a feathered serpent deity is first documented in Teotihuacan in the first century BCE or first century CE...
in MesoamericaMesoamericaMesoamerica is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and...
.
- America Migration, produced by Architect Pedro Ramirez Vazquez, was presented in East Wing of the Nave Lewis Expositions Centre. This exhibition sought to portray the phenomenon of migration, from the prehistoric times to modern age.
- Buda Guanyin: Treasures of Compassion, featured for the first time outside of China, 150 pieces of BuddhaGautama BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
and were presented in the Museum of Mexican History.
- Steelworks Museum: Furnace No. 3, this new interactive museum was housed in one of the landmarks of Mexican industrial history, the Alto Horno 3 (High Furnace No. 3) which was once the backbone of the Fundidora Steelwork Company. This brand-new high tech experience will recreate the ancient art of steel production, a long-aged Monterrey tradition.
- 2501 Migrants, by Mexican artist Alejandro Santiago, and featured 2501 life-size statues made in clay, representing the phenomenon of Mexican migrations into the United States. It was housed in an open-air section of the Fundidora ParkFundidora Park-History and location:This urban sustainable park is geolocated inside the former Monterrey Foundry Property with an area of . The Monterrey Foundry operated from 1900 until its bankruptcy in 1986...
.
- Habitat: from Risk to Sustainability, this interactive, high-tech exhibition housed in the Nave Generadores presented a new outlook on the core topic of SustainabilitySustainabilitySustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
- Frida Kahlo, the Monterrey Forum housed a special exhibition of the finest works of Mexican artist Frida KahloFrida KahloFrida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican painter, born in Coyoacán, and perhaps best known for her self-portraits....
to commemorate the centennial of her birth.
- B.A.N.G. Technological Culture, presented the newest of emerging technologies in four main areas: BitsBITSBITS or bits may refer to:* Plural of bit* Background Intelligent Transfer Service, a file transfer protocol* Birla Institute of Technology and Science, a technology school in Pilani, Rajasthan, India, with campuses in Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai...
, Atoms, NanotechnologyNanotechnologyNanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
and GenomeGenomeIn modern molecular biology and genetics, the genome is the entirety of an organism's hereditary information. It is encoded either in DNA or, for many types of virus, in RNA. The genome includes both the genes and the non-coding sequences of the DNA/RNA....
(hence the archronym B.A.N.G.)
- Dialogue in the Dark, an original concept by Andreas Heinecke, as an interactive, life-experience where visitors are immersed in a completely darkened room, in order to experience a day in the lives of a blind person. This project sought to sensibilize the visitor with the hardships experienced by these groups in carrying out their everyday activities. The 4 stages were guided by a real blind person.
- Principle of Uncertainty, was presented in the Centro de las Artes in Fundidora ParkFundidora Park-History and location:This urban sustainable park is geolocated inside the former Monterrey Foundry Property with an area of . The Monterrey Foundry operated from 1900 until its bankruptcy in 1986...
, and featured the works of 20 contemporary Mexican artists, whose work is closely related to the scientific method and the various approaches to knowledge.
- Monterrey: Memories of a Future, was presented in the Metropolitan Museum, and provided an insight to the rich, colourful history of this city.
- Gold and Salt, was also be featured in the Centro de las Artes in Fundidora Park, and presented two boats, one filled with gold and another one with salt, to represent the cultural implications of European colonization of America, and the beginnings of trade between these continents.
- Images of the Natives in the Arts of the New Spain, presented in the Museum of Mexican History, featured classical baroqueBaroqueThe Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
works representing the native Mexicans and their relationships with Spanish colonization.
- The New Lions, housed in the Nave Generadores Hall in Fundidora Park featured the work of contemporary local artists.
- Museo del Noreste / MUNE, is a new hall annexed to the Museum of Mexican History, which will portray the cultural, historical and social developments of CoahuilaCoahuilaCoahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
, Nuevo LeónNuevo LeónNuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, TamaulipasTamaulipasTamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
and TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, the former Republic of the Rio GrandeRepublic of the Rio GrandeThe Republic of the Rio Grande was an independent nation that insurgents against the Central Mexican Government sought to establish in northern Mexico. The rebellion lasted from January 17 to November 6, 1840 and the Republic of the Rio Grande was never officially recognized.- Background :After a...
.
- Voyage of Light, was presented in the Museo del Vidrio (Glass Museum) and will feature 60 works of contemporary art fabricated in glass.
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Cultural Expressions
The 2007 Monterrey Forum provided the participants with the opportunity to experience a wide array of Cultural Expressions from all continents of the world. More than 1,000 single events ranging from 189 companies from more than 75 countries, were presented during the 80 days of the event. A promotional video for the Cultural Expressions offer can be viewed in the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgc_t64GUwM.- Theatre: Fulanos (South America), Tonelada de Luz (Mexico), Las Niñas de la Guerra (Mexico), The Hungry Caterpillar (Canada) among others.
- Street Performances: The Carpetbag Brigade (USA), Generik Vapeur (France), Circus Baobab (GuineaGuineaGuinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
), Daniela MercuryDaniela MercuryDaniela Mercury , is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Brazilian axé, samba-reggae and MPB singer, songwriter and record producer. Since her breakthrough, Mercury has become one of the best known Brazilian female singers, selling over 20 million albums worldwide...
(Brasil), Fito PáezFito PáezRodolfo "Fito" Páez Ávalos is an Argentine popular rock and roll pianist, lyricist, Spanish language singer and film director.-Early career:...
(South America), Goran BregovicGoran BregovicGoran Bregović is one of the most internationally known modern musicians and composers of the Balkans. He currently splits his time between Paris and Belgrade, where he settled down during the Yugoslav Wars.Bregović has composed for such varied artists as Iggy Pop and Cesária Évora...
(Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Puerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
), Drums of Yamato (Japan), Mariza (Portugal), among others.
- Dance Performances: National Ballet Branco Krsmanovic (SerbiaSerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
), Muñequitos de Matanzas (CubaCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
), among others.
- Traditional Cuisine: Expert Chefs from various countries will present the richest culinary traditions of the world with live shows followed by sampling of traditional dishes.
- Music: Forum provided massive concerts with performers from all over the world, from Symphonic Orchestras to world-renowned DJs. Some of the musical events featured in the 2007 Forum include: Tim Sweeny (USA), DJ Ibojima (Sweden), DJ Tsuyoshi (Japan), Plastilina MoshPlastilina MoshPlastilina Mosh is a Mexican alternative rock group from Monterrey, México, part of the musical movement known as Avanzada Regia. Jonás González is the lead singer and guitar player. Alejandro Rosso is more involved with the creative process, providing most of the instrumentation and occasional...
(Mexico), InspectorInspectorInspector is both a police rank and an administrative position, both used in a number of contexts. However, it is not an equivalent rank in each police force.- Australia :...
(Mexico), Jumbolia (Mexico), Lila DownsLila DownsLila Downs is a Mexican singer-songwriter. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into Mexican traditional and popular music...
(Mexico), JaguaresJaguares (rock band)Jaguares is a Mexican alternative rock band formed by former Caifanes lead singer Saúl Hernández, ex-Caifan Alfonso André , and two long-time friends Federico Fong and José Manuel Aguilera .-History:...
(Mexico), Bebel GilbertoBebel GilbertoBebel Gilberto is a Brazilian popular singer often associated with bossa nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle is singer/composer Chico Buarque...
(Brasil), Daara J (SenegalSenegalSenegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
), KinkyKinkyKinky may refer to:*Kinky , a five-member band from Monterrey, Mexico**Kinky , their self-titled album*Kinky *Kink , unconventional sexual practices...
(Mexico), El Gran SilencioEl Gran SilencioEl Gran Silencio is a rock en español band from Monterrey, Mexico that blends a variety of rock, reggae, dancehall, and dub influences with traditional Latin American musical forms such as cumbia, vallenato and banda as part of the musical movement known as Avanzada Regia...
(Mexico), Koffi Zinsou and the Drums of Togo (TogoTogoTogo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
), Music Masters of Armenia (ArmeniaArmeniaArmenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
), Stockbridge Pipe Band (Scotland) among many others.
- Film Festivals: Forum 2007 included several Film Festivals, chief among them The Regiomontano Film Festival, The Latino Film Festival, The Immigration Film Festival and The Documentary Film Festival.
- Circus Shows: the traditional and ever-changing art of Circus acts were presented for all the participants of the 2007 Forum with acts ranging from traditional circus acts to modern, cutting-edge experiences. Performers included shows such as Circus OzCircus OzCircus Oz was founded in December 1977, with its first performance season in March 1978. Circus Oz was the amalgamation of two already well-known groups - Soapbox Circus, a roadshow set up by the Australian Performing Group in 1976, and the New Ensemble Circus, a continuation of the New Circus,...
(Australia), Cirque EloizeCirque ÉloizeCirque Éloize is a Quebec-based nouveau cirque troupe. It was founded in 1993 by Jeannot Painchaud, Daniel Cyr and Julie Hamelin. Having created seven original productions so far, it has presented more than 3000 performances in more than 375 cities and 30 countries...
(Canada), and Circo Atayde Hermanos (Mexico).
- Literature: Forum 2007 provided a space for literary creation and the celebration of community reading. Some of the narrators featured in Forum included: Marita Von Saltzen (Argentina), Rukhansa Khan (Canada), Martha Escudero (Mexico-Spain), JJ Abel Solares (Guatemala-Japan), Amalis Lu (Colombia), Jennifer Ramsay(Scotland), Ikaica Ruben Campos Tadeshko (Mexico/Macedonia), Willy Chilombiano (Chile), Boniface Ofogo (Cameroon-Spain), Teresa Puig among many others.
- Workshops: Forum featured large, open-air workshops for all visitors with activities and classes ranging from ornate African jewellery and percussions, to hip-hip, capoeira, belly dancing, flamenco, and many more.
Special Projects and Events
The 2007 Monterrey Forum also included a series of grand events and spaces for social participation, which took place during the course of the 80-day event. These were designed to foster communal gathering and free speech, and also to provide an access area for members of the community to participate directly with the Forum, and to experience the richness that the event entailed.Some of these Special Projects and Events included the following:
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies, which took place on September the 20th, and December 8, accordingly.
- Signature Show, which was a daily event offered every night on the outside of the Steelworks Museum, and featured massive performances with acrobatics, smoke and light effects, music, lasers, to recreate the history of the city of MonterreyMonterreyMonterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
. This event was completely free of charge.
- The Peace Camps, was divided into 4 events, hosting over 350 children from various developing nations, which came together in Monterrey to interact and debate about the topic of peace. This was aimed at giving children from all over the world, the chance to speak up about this sensitive topic and for adults worldwide to have the opportunity to learn from their perspectives and experiences.
- Civil Society Plaza, was an area inside the Fundidora Park, where NGOs from all over the world were able to promote their work, establish contact with the attendees of the Forum, and network with other organizations.
- Forum University and the International Student Forum 2007 were two events that took place in the four major universities of Monterrey, and included a series of lectures, workshops and events aimed at students, teachers, researchers and members of the international academic community.
- The Municipalities Plaza, was an area also inside the main Forum venue, where representatives from various municipalities, mainly from the state of Nuevo LeónNuevo LeónNuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, and also from other states of Mexico and abroad, featured the richest elements of their cultural identities.
- School Tours, was the programme by which almost 100,000 children from various schools had daily visits to the Forum site, with a specially designed activities programme, free of charge.
Venues
The Fundidora ParkFundidora Park
-History and location:This urban sustainable park is geolocated inside the former Monterrey Foundry Property with an area of . The Monterrey Foundry operated from 1900 until its bankruptcy in 1986...
was the central venue for the 2007 Universal Forum of Cultures. However, this is not the only venue that hosted the more than 1000 activities that took place during the 80-day event. There are approximately 20 distinct venues that were located through the entire city. Some of the most relevant ones included:
- The Luis Elizondo Auditorium, located in the Tecnologico de Monterrey
- The Teatro de la Ciudad, the main city theatre located in the MacroplazaMacroplazaThe Macroplaza or La Gran Plaza is a town square or plaza located in the heart of the city of Monterrey, Mexico.The Macroplaza was built in the early 1980s during the governorship of Alfonso Martínez Domínguez...
- The Aula Magna, a baroque auditorium located downtown Monterrey and managed by the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo LeónUniversidad Autónoma de Nuevo LeónThe Autonomous University of Nuevo León is a public university with seven campuses across the Northern state of Nuevo León, Mexico. Founded as University of Nuevo León on 25 September 1933, it is the oldest and largest university in the state in terms of student population and it is currently...
- The Museum of Mexican History, which marks the start of the Paseo de Santa Lucia RiverwalkSanta Lucia RiverwalkThe Santa Lucia Riverwalk is an artificial river located in the Mexican city of Monterrey, Nuevo León.- History :Construction of the river began in 1996, but for economic reasons was stopped for nine years. In 2005, construction continued and was finished in 2007...
, which connects downtown and the MacroplazaMacroplazaThe Macroplaza or La Gran Plaza is a town square or plaza located in the heart of the city of Monterrey, Mexico.The Macroplaza was built in the early 1980s during the governorship of Alfonso Martínez Domínguez...
with the Fundidora ParkFundidora Park-History and location:This urban sustainable park is geolocated inside the former Monterrey Foundry Property with an area of . The Monterrey Foundry operated from 1900 until its bankruptcy in 1986... - The Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Arts or MARCOMARCOMacrophage receptor MARCO is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MARCO gene.-Further reading:...
, one of the most celebrated museums in Northern Mexico - The recently-built Museo del Acero (Steelworks Museum) located in Fundidora, as well as the Museo del Noreste or MUNE which is an annex to the Museum of Mexican History and will showcase the rich history of Northern Mexico and Texas
- The CINTERMEX Convention Center, among many others
Schedule of Events
The Schedule of Events for the 2007 Universal Forum of Cultures is now available in the Forum's website. It is to be remarked that although the 2007 Universal Forum of Cultures has ended, several expositions will be displayed until January 10, 2008.Closing Ceremony
The Closing Ceremony started at 18:00 on December 8. An estimated 230,000 people attended the Ceremony on Fundidora Park, where several events took place as part of the Closing Ceremony.The biggest firework show ever seen on Latin America was the closure to the forum, with over 1,500 KG on artificial fireworks.