The exhibition is the main showcase of Mexican pre-Hispanic art and culture in Germany this year. It exhibits 228 masterpieces of Mexican art, 125 of which come from the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
From 11 October in Stuttgart, capital of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, the exhibition “Aztecs” (Azteken) began at the Linden Museum, the first exhibition with social, political and economic context of this important pre-Hispanic civilisation in the European continent.
For the opening representing the Government of Mexico and the Secretary of Culture was Alejandra Frausto present, the Ambassador of Mexico to the Federal Republic of Germany, Rogelio Granguillhome inaugurated the exhibition together with the Premier of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann and museum’s director, Inés de Castro.
In his words, the Ambassador highlighted the timeliness of this exhibition in the context of the 500th anniversary of the contact between the Aztec and Spanish civilisations. He also stressed the importance of preserving pre-Hispanic cultures and the languages derived from them, as they safeguard the cultural richness of humanity, with 2019 being the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
He also recalled the vast legacy left by the renowned historian Miguel León Portilla, who recently passed away in Mexico City and one of the main promoters of Mexico’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
For his part, Premier Kretschmann was pleased that this exhibition began its European journey in Germany, since the country has important links with Mexico, particularly its federal state which is home to several German companies with investment in our country for more than 50 years. In addition, he highlighted the interest of the German public in the exhibition, which can be seen in the numerous reviews in various media throughout the country. Inés de Castro, the director of the Linden Museum, explained that this project began more than three years ago, during which time they have worked intensively with experts in Mesoamerica from various European museums, as well as with the authorities of the National Institute of Anthropology (INAH), with whom the exhibition catalogue was made.
The National Coordinator of Museums and Exhibitions, Juan Manuel Garibay and the Director of Exhibitions of the institution, Alejandra Barajas, attended on behalf of the INAH and in representation of its General Director, Diego Prieto.
Aztecas brings together pieces from the National Museum of Anthropology and History (MNAH) and the Museo del Templo Mayor (MTM) as well as collections from twelve European public institutions and has the advice of renowned Mexican researchers. The exhibition will be open to the public in Stuttgart until May 2020, and will then travel to Vienna, the Austrian capital, and to Leiden in the Netherlands.
For further information
Embassy of Mexico to Germany- H.E. Ambassador Rogelio Granguillhome Morfín: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/alemania/index.php/es/comunicados/638-aztecas-se-inaugura-en-alemania
Linden Museum: https://www.lindenmuseum.de/en/see/exhibitions/the-aztecs/
Photography by Linden Museum
