The 22nd edition of Expo Artesanal is currently taking place at the Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT) terrace and it will last until May 1 from 11 AM to 9 PM.

Its goal is to promote and highlight the value and work of indigenous communities, fabrics, creations, cultural heritage, and delicious gastronomy.

In an interview for San Diego Red, Mario Murrieta, Director of the event’s organizing committee stated:

What distinguishes this event is that we bring local participants and people from several states of Mexico, such as artisans from Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, and Michoacán. These last ones, for the first time, are bringing their gastronomy. As a director of this event, every year I am surprised and learn from this diversity.

At the opening act, Doctor Galia Vianka Robles Santana, managing director of CECUT, gave a crucial message:

We are in charge of taking care of the artisans of Mexico, of all regions, with the same warmth, respect, dignity, and consideration that we use for local and national artists. Our artisanal examples are not only a space of coexistence, but an economic project that strengthens communities. It is important that we, as consumers, understand the working hours that there are behind Mexican fabrics.

She highlighted that a piece of fabric can take up to 6 months to be finished; there are even Mexican yarns that must be done in the early morning because in the morning they paste themselves together because of the sun. “Behind an artisan product there is a family and a community that works collectively,” she added.

Regarding food, huaraches, flautas in a cup, tlayudas, and quesadillas will be sold, and attendants will be able to enjoy other dishes such as pizzas and the original Caesar salad recipe. Regarding snacks, there are strawberries with cream, pulque, mezcal, atole, coffee, crepes, cream gorditas, garrafa ice cream, cornbread, Mexican candy, and confectionery.

Daniel Cervantes, representative of pulquería and cultural collective Coyote Cósmico spoke about the pulque flavors that will be offered at this event:

There will be berries, cacao, tamarind, guava, amaranth, water with pineapple, and mead. Pulque has a lot of minerals, vitamins, and it is a nutritious drink. Women use it when breastfeeding because they produce more milk, it helps not to develop osteoporosis or demineralization. It is even given to children in communities so that they don’t get anemia or end up malnourished.

The drink is served in a 450-milimeter clay pitcher and helps the consumer to cool off, regulating their temperature.

In addition, clay art, pots, Zapotec, Mexica, and Mayan figures will be sold.

In order to spread the history of Pre-Hispanic culture, visitors will be able to buy educational books from Fundación Armella Spitalier which talk about Tulum, Monte Albán, Chichén Itzá, and other archeological centers and communities.

If you love furniture and decorations, there will be wooden and iron pieces handmade in Guanajuato, Puebla, and Guadalajara.

Folklore and tradition will also show up here with alebrijes from the San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca community. Their owner explained this more in-depth:

This work is handmade in an artisan manner and has been made for many years in this community. Pieces take up to 5 days because of their details and because each one has its own spiritual significance. The elephant with its upwards trunk is a sign of triumph, while the frog is always going forwards, never backwards or sideways.

Regarding the fact that Tijuana is the venue of Expo Artesanal, its organizer, Mario Murrieta, said:

You can take a look at the economic revenue that these events create and the informative revenue that they leave about Mexican culture. Visitors will be able to appreciate the artisans making handcrafts in front of them and the work and value that exists behind them.

Highlighting that visitors’ expectations are high, Mr. Murrieta thanked the Tijuana community for responding favorably to this event, as well as the institutions and the authorities for their support.

Touring the stands, we were able to see that geodes from Sonora are sold. These are volcanic rocks with quartz inside, which are broken right there. The buyer has access to all kinds of rocks and minerals.

Rugs made of wool and natural dyes from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca are another type of attractive product you will find here.

Regarding artistic performances, there will be several shows on stage: folkloric dancing, regional Mexican dances, norteño groups, solo artists, local talent, jazz groups, and pop groups.

The following people were also present at the inauguration of Expo Artesanal: Dr. Karim Chalita, Secretary of the Committee of Tourism and Conventions of Tijuana; Paulo Carrillo, director of Promoción Económica; Christian Orozco, vice-president of CANIRAC; Luis Rodríguez Blanco, head of the Zona Centro delegation. and master José de Jesús Quiñónez Ramírez, Subsecretary of Tourism of Baja California.

We remind you that this event will last all weekend until Monday, May 1.