UC San Diego Park & Market has hosted a series of vibrant and diverse events in the 2024 Intersecciones series so far. These events have brought the community together to highlight our cross-border region’s rich cultural heritage, innovative advancements, and powerful voices.
The 2024 series kicked off February 21 with the screening of “Esto Somos” (“This is Us”), a documentary presentation about the world of popular art design in Mexico portraying the different styles and geographic routes of art, followed by 10 short films featuring individual artists at their work. The screenings were followed by panel discussions with filmmakers and subjects of the documentaries—including esteemed Mexican anthropologist Marta Turok—offering deeper insights and fostering meaningful conversations about identity, culture, and community.
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Music transcends borders, and this was beautifully demonstrated on April 6 in the Crossing Voices: Community Choirs of Tijuana and San Diego concert. Held at Park & Market in The Forum, this event convened choirs from both sides of the border, showcasing the power of music to unite communities. The audience enjoyed a musical evening of song, combining the talents and voices of singers ages 10 to 70 from Tijuana and San Diego choirs. The concert featured an eclectic mix of musical styles, from classical pieces to contemporary compositions, reflecting the unique cultural blend of the border region. Included were two Mexican choirs from the Sistema Estatal de Coros at Baja California, as well as those from Mi Universidad, La Voces, City Heights Community Choir, Marshal Community Choir, and Mi Universidad (dubbed Park & Market’s “house choir” because they formed and meet in the building). The event offered a chance to experience the universal appeal of music from across the region.
On April 25, Park & Market hosted an exclusive discussion about Banco de Mexico’s new currency advancements that featured Galia Borja, Deputy Vice Governor of the Bank of Mexico. Ms. Borja provided invaluable insights into the recent advancements in Mexico’s currency, covering topics such as new bills, designs, symbols, and related developments. She also addressed the broader landscape of Mexican currency, emphasizing the Banco de Mexico’s efforts in fostering art and culture through their currency designs, which feature prominent Mexican historical figures and symbols. Following the presentation, there was a fireside chat with Rafael Fernández de Castro, Director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) at UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. The presentation was particularly enlightening for those interested in finance, design, and technology, offering a rare glimpse into the complexities of national currency production and the efforts to safeguard economic stability.
The UNESCO Ancestral Maize Festival, held on May 4 at Park & Market, was a tantalizing celebration of maize (corn), a crop deeply rooted in the traditions and cultures of the Americas.
In the State of Michoacán and across Mexico, collectives of female cooks and practitioners sustain traditional cuisine and agriculture. Their dedication preserves community identity, reinforces social bonds, and strengthens local, regional, and national identities—earning them an official inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Moreover, these efforts highlight traditional cuisine’s role in sustainable development.
Ancestral Maize Festival guests enjoyed cooking demonstrations, traditional music and dance performances, and informative talks by agricultural experts and cultural historians. The culinary components offered a chance to celebrate the cuisine of Michoacán, México as presented by renowned and UNESCO-designated traditional cooks.
Festival guests sampled special regional wines, beers, and tequilas and 15 tastings of diverse maize-based dishes allowing attendees to discover the traditions and flavors of Michoacán. The festival honored the past and looked toward a sustainable future, highlighting the importance of preserving traditional farming methods and promoting biodiversity.
Intersecciones at UC San Diego Park & Market continues to be a dynamic platform for cultural exchange, innovation, and community building, with events highlighting the unique aspects of our shared heritage and contemporary experiences. The series will return in fall 2024. Sign up for the newsletter to get the latest Intersecciones updates in your inbox!