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NEWS & REPORTS
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Feb 4, 2005
"50 Years of Foreigners in San Miguel de
Allende"
Introduction
by Holly Yasui
For decades, thousands of migrants have flocked to San
Miguel de Allende. Drawn by the artistic, cultural and historical attractions
of the town, some came to study and work, while others saw an opportunity
to live well on foreign income since dollars have always gone much farther
in Mexico than in the U.S. For many, the combination of these two attractions,
plus the burgeoning of a permanent foreign community, was irresistible.
The social and economic demographics of this constant
flow from the north has changed a great deal, however, since the 1950s
when hundreds of young World War II veterans descended upon the town
armed with their GI-bill subsidies to study art. Subsequent waves of
migration consisted of refugees from McCarthyism, beatniks, Vietnam
War draft dodgers, hippies, and New Age practitioners. At the end of
the millennium, proportions shifted – more “snowbirds,”
retired people and real-estate investors came to San Miguel than students
and artists.
How have these different groups affected this venerable
colonial city? How have relations changed through the years between
the foreign community and Mexicans? What is the state of intercultural
relations today, and what are the prospects for the future?
These are questions that César Arias de la Canal
will address in a talk entitled “50 Years of Foreigners in San Miguel.” Born and raised in San Miguel, Arias
is a descendent of a family that has been prominent in the town since
the colonial period. As director of Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden
and El Recreo Cultural Center, he has been an activist civic leader
for many years. He observes with growing concern the widening divide
between the American community and Mexicans in San Miguel.
This talk by César Arias will be in English
on Wednesday February 9 at 5 PM at Bellas Artes. The public is invited
and encouraged to participate in a question and answer session following
the talk. A donation of 30 pesos is requested. This event is sponsored
by the Center for Global Justice. For more information, call 150-0025.
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