The recent White Night event in Mérida attracted over 60,000 attendees, marking a historic celebration of art and culture across the city. The event featured a variety of performances and activities, culminating in a stellar closing with Jenny and the Mexicats.
A Celebration for the People
“White Night belongs to the people of Mérida. They are the ones who give life and joy to this city. I thank everyone who was involved in making this great evening and its Eve a success,” said Mérida’s municipal president, Cecilia Patrón Laviada.
This year’s event brought art and culture to all corners of the city, including police stations, with 585 artists participating in 251 activities across 98 venues. Notable locations included the Centro Cultural del Sur, Centro Municipal de Danza, Centro Cultural Wallis, and the Caucel police station.
Diverse Artistic Offerings
Galleries such as Arte 1010, Praxis Havana Art Studio & Lab Design, Lux Perpetua Art Center, Nahualli Casa de los Artistas, La Casa Azul de Rosa, and Filux Lab showcased their works. Music filled the air in Santiago Park with I&I Sinfónico’s 25th anniversary performance, bachata in Santa Ana Park with Recoveco, and jazz from the 1920s and 1950s with Tea For Two Quintet in Parque de la Paz.
In San Juan, the evening featured the Libertarians, who have over 25 years of experience, and the night concluded with Jenny and the Mexicats in Plaza Grande, bringing rhythm and excitement to the festivities.
Theater and Inclusivity
The event also included theater productions such as “Momo” by Títere Planet, promoting art and inclusivity for people with disabilities, “El aroma del tiempo” at Teatro la Rendija, and “El Secreto de mi Hamaca” in San Juan Park with Erik Ávila “Cuxum” and his Regional Theater company.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Cecilia Patrón emphasized the importance of culture for social cohesion, unity, community identity, security, harmony, and peace in Mérida. The event also provided a significant boost to the local economy, benefiting entrepreneurs, the tourism sector, restaurants, hotels, and other services.
“In addition to cultural strengthening, White Night and its Eve bring economic benefits to hundreds of families in Mérida, contributing to social justice, which is a priority in this new way of governing,” said the mayor.
Local products and crafts were displayed in parks and streets, with positive results for the groups of entrepreneurs involved. Attendees filled venues such as Bazares Creativos + Mercado Verde, CANADEM, Centro Municipal de Emprendedores, Salón del Noveno Arte, Arteverso, Centro Cultural Wallis, and Malí Bazar.
Gastronomy and Fashion
Yucatecan gastronomy was showcased in snack stands, food trucks, and the Panucho Fair in the Magical Neighborhood of Ermita de Santa Isabel, which generated over 200,000 pesos in income for the 25 participants. Another highlight was the Yucatán Total Look fashion show by Canaive, featuring video mapping projection in Parque de la Paz.
Restaurants affiliated with the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (CANIRAC) in the Historic Center reported high attendance and offered discounts to visitors of White Night.
“The income from the tourism sector benefits a wide range of people, including hotel owners, waiters, coachmen, taxi drivers, artisans, and restaurateurs. We will continue to promote initiatives that increase income for families,” Cecilia Patrón concluded.
Source: La Jornada Maya
