In the heart of Tijuana, Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT) has proudly become a fundamental pillar for the artistic and cultural community of northwestern Mexico.

Dr. Vianka R. Santana heads this important institution. She has dedicated her administration to promoting and strengthening culture and art in a diverse and inclusive manner.

In a recent interview with San Diego Red, the director of CECUT reflected on her career, the challenges she has faced, and the achievements she has obtained during the six years of her administration.

An artistic legacy from childhood: The personal and professional history of Vianka R. Santana

The history of Vianka R. Santana, PhD, with CECUT begins in 1983 when she recited "Oda a la Mordaza" by Mario Benedetti when she was a teenager on the very same stage she now heads.

This first meeting began the same artistic career that has bonded her with this critical venue. "Centro Cultural Tijuana became a part of my life, of my education in many ways," she says.

She began her artistic education at theater workshops at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC) under the tutelage of Rubén Vizcaíno. This space not only provided her with technical skills but also helped her immerse herself in a creative community that influenced her vision of art and her current administration. "I have been on both sides, at the office but also on the stage," she explains.

With this strong academic education, which includes a Doctorate in Education Sciences and a Master's Degree in Educational Development, Vianka R. Santana has dedicated a great part of her life to developing educational and cultural projects.

Throughout her career, she has taken on multiple roles at CECUT, working as a narrator, manager, and deputy director, which has given her a unique perspective regarding the needs of the artistic community.

"I must say that it is the first time that an artist is this center's director, and I think that has added value," she emphasizes, highlighting that her personal history allows her to understand the challenges faced by artists and the importance of making cultural spaces more accessible.

A genuine commitment to the artistic community

Robles Santana, PhD, recognizes that permanent contact with different artistic expressions enriches people's lives and strengthens the community.

Her work is looking to promote art and build a cultural identity that reflects the diversity and creativity of the northwestern Mexico region.

"I believe that this place will continue to be my home and a reference for the rest of my life," the managing director said, reaffirming her deep bond with CECUT and her mission to continue promoting art and culture in the state.

CECUT: a window into the region's cultural, artistic, and ethnic diversity

Centro Cultural Tijuana has redefined its approach to promoting culture, and the current administration is betting on a more humanistic focus, bringing attention to previously ignored sectors.

One of the most significant aspects of Santana’s management has been its new approach to immigrants and native people.

The director of Centro Cultural Tijuana discussed a diagnosis made by the National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI), pointing out that 54 of the current 68 modern languages in Mexico are spoken in Tijuana. That's why an initiative was launched to strengthen native languages and keep them alive through literature. The most significant initiative is establishing the National Story Award of Native Languages Tetseebo competition.

In addition, CECUT has developed programs aimed at vulnerable groups such as seniors, creating inclusive spaces such as "Salón Tijuana", an event whose goal is to revive the history of Tijuana in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s by offering people a safe space for social gatherings.

Cultural cross-border promotion and consolidation of spaces to promote artistic expression in Baja California

CECUT has expanded to 45 places in Baja California, and even Sonora; activities and programs now occur in spots where there were previously none.

This approach has allowed for more direct contact with communities, promoting the creation of projects and positioning CECUT as a cross-border landmark. Throughout her administration, Vianka R. Santana, PhD, has organized meetings and dialogues with creators in other countries, especially during the pandemic, where talks with people from different nations took place.

CECUT's vision is clear: to build a vibrant cultural and diverse community that represents all the voices in Baja California. It is committed to being an accessible and inclusive space that addresses the needs of all sectors.

Promoting local art at Centro Cultural Tijuana

Centro Cultural Tijuana has taken measures to promote and exhibit work by local artists through several different initiatives and has opened spaces to ensure that all exhibitors, regardless of their history, have the chance to show off their work. "For us, there is no distinction; everyone has the same rights," general director Vianka R. Santana says.

One of the most significant initiatives is the 2nd edition of Trienal de Tijuana: 2. Internacional Pictórica, where several Baja Californian creators, including students and graduates from the Faculty of Arts at UABC, participated.

In addition, in the literary area, CECUT has created a vital space for book presentations, as local writers have had the chance to show off their works. Activities such as Feria del Libro Tijuana and Norte 32° Encuentro Literario have established a platform that establishes essential collaboration networks for the region's artistic development. "Networking is essential in our days; it is necessary to create opportunities that give way to new literary projects," the director emphasizes.

On the other hand, free activities to educate artists, such as journalism and theater workshops, are a significant part of this proposal, ensuring that education is accessible to everyone.

It should be noted that independent projects that enrich the cultural landscape have also been generated. An example of this is early childhood theater, which has attracted several different international artists from all over the world, or the international show Danza/Tijuana: Cuerpos en Tránsito, in which ballet companies from different countries have participated and which has allowed local artists to join bigger productions.

Celebration of the 42nd anniversary of CECUT

Vianka R. Santana stressed that the celebration of Centro Cultural Tijuana's 42nd anniversary will be focused on social coexistence with popular musical genres, which will make all attendants dance and enjoy their day to the fullest.

DJ Chucuchu, La Diabla, and Takón Machine will deliver this great mood, performing an amazing selection of cumbia, sonidero, reggae, rock, and vallenato songs.

This celebration, which will take place on Saturday, October 19, at 5 PM in the CECUT terrace, aims to be an inclusive activity for the entire community and is inviting people of all ages to participate.

CECUT prepares activities to finish off 2024

Trienal de Tijuana: 2. Internacional Pictórica

Centro Cultural Tijuana is offering a variety of activities to finish off 2024, and one of their most significant projects is Trienal de Tijuana: 2. Internacional Pictórica, "a project that is born from a dream by the master Álvaro Blancarte, whose goal is to create a dialogue between regional, national, and foreign artists," the director explains.

Trienal is not only a platform to exhibit artworks; it is also focused on reflecting on the possibilities that picturesque art offers.

"A painting won this edition, which is amazing. I call her the painter of crowds because she has this history of painting women's marches and protests, but in the last edition, the winning project had nothing to do with painting; it had to do with picturesque, color on canvas, intention, that is what made it stand out," Vianka R. Santana says.

One of the most valuable features of Trienal is its inclusivity, as no career requirements allow any artist, even students, to participate. More than 500 artists registered in both editions and some of these were selected to be showcased to compete in this competition.

This festival’s voting system is also notable. The public can vote on who the winner is, alongside the curator, who is not part of the aforementioned selection process but evaluates these projects and chooses the best ten. This methodology ensures the final decision is fair and reflects public appreciation and artistic quality.

It should be noted that this exhibition will be open to the public until February 2025 from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM in rooms 1, 2, and 3 at Museo El Cubo and the Marta Palau room and the ground floor at CECUT facilities.

Day of the Dead Festival

CECUT is also preparing a series of significant shows starting with the Day of the Dead Festival, a cultural celebration that will include a variety of artistic, musical, dance, and folkloric activities.

This celebration is expected to attract thousands of attendees, offering people a space to honor the dead through art and tradition.

One of the most important activities at this festival is the mega Catrina, built with more than 3,000 panes de muerto (bread of the dead), which will be made together with Universidad Vizcaya. Their goal is to break last year’s record!

Nights of Horror III

With seasonal decor and a fantastic horror movie cycle at Sala Carlos Monsiváis, CECUT will screen several different suspense, thriller, monster, and horror movies.

The movies that will be screened were finalists at Macabro XXIII Festival Internacional de Cine de Horror in Mexico City, with the standouts being "La Maldición de Okamuro" and "The Complex Forms."

Movies will be screened on selected nights from October 10 to October 27. General admission is 50 pesos, and senior admission is 30 for students and teachers.

Norte 32° Encuentro Literario

CECUT will also host Norte 32° Encuentro Literario, a meeting of northern Mexico's writers. This event promises to take a renewed approach compared to the previous year's format and promote dialogue and the exchange of ideas between writers in an environment that celebrates regional literature.

Holiday Activities

The December program includes a performance of The Nutcracker by Escuela de Danza Gloria Campobello and Ballet del Noroeste de México, an artistic show that has become a community tradition.

This show will be directed by Lilian Tapia Robles and choreographed by Minerva Tapia Robles and EDGC.

General Director Vianka Robles explained that a Christmas fair will occur at CECUT. The fair will combine local and handicraft entrepreneurship, making it perfect for those looking to buy Christmas gifts!

For the final stretch of 2024, a series of musical, theatrical, and dance activities are being organized. Many of these are free, which is why we recommend people check out the lineups, activity programs, and official ticket booths at CECUT's official social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cecut.mx
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cecut_mx/
Website: https://www.cecut.gob.mx/
Ticket Booth: https://www.taquillacecut.mx/

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