Mexico City committee demands Casa López Velarde retain literary focus, rejects cabaret conversion

A committee advocating for the preservation of the Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde has issued a list of demands to Mexico City's Head of Government, Clara Brugada. The group, the Committee in Defense of the Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde, opposes the Secretariat of Culture's plan to transform the historic building into "the first public cabaret."

The committee asserts that this project "contravene[s] the objective for which it was created, violating its identity and institutional function." They insist that the Casa maintain its original vocation and name, demanding the removal of the "new program" featuring "artistic manifestations alien to poetry, such as cabaret." The group also rejects any "unilateral commercial or scenic reconversion," arguing that activities like concerts and theater exceed the building's logistical capacity and detract from its intimate literary nature.

Furthermore, the committee calls for creative freedom within the space, ensuring it remains a pluralistic venue "without distinctions of ideological, political, or aesthetic nature." They seek to eliminate "curatorship" to prevent the "conditioning of authors' agendas." Other demands include preserving free access for visitors and literary community members, protecting the "Las Hormigas" Café-Bar, and safeguarding the building's significant bibliographical and documentary heritage, including several libraries and an audiovisual archive.

Administrative demands include the dismissal of the current director, Andrés Carreño, whose background is in performing arts. The committee insists the position should be filled by a poet of recognized standing, knowledgeable about Ramón López Velarde's work. They also request transparency, accountability, the establishment of a Community Consultative Council, respect for the 1988 expropriation decree, a public dialogue, and an official response to their petition. A protest is scheduled for Friday, June 12, outside the Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde.