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Petition launched to preserve historic poet's house from cabaret conversion
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Petition launched to preserve historic poet's house from cabaret conversion

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • A petition has been launched on Change.org to preserve the Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde in Mexico City.
  • The cultural secretary announced plans to transform the historic house into a cabaret.
  • Petitioners argue this change would irrevocably damage the site's literary and artistic legacy.

A petition launched on Change.org is urging authorities to halt plans to convert the Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde, a historic residence in Mexico City, into a cabaret. The house, located at Av. Álvaro Obregón 73 in the Roma neighborhood, was where the renowned poet lived for the last three years of his life, from 1918 until his death.

The historical weight of this place means that transforming the venue into a cabaret will radically alter its original character and purpose.

— Petition statementExplaining the core argument against the proposed transformation.

On June 4, the Secretary of Culture for Mexico City announced that the poet's former home would be replaced by the "Casa de las Palabras," described as a public cabaret. This announcement has sparked significant backlash from cultural figures and the public.

Our demand is clear: maintain the Casa del Poeta and its library in their current state as spaces dedicated to art and literature.

— Petition statementStating the specific request of the petition.

The petition, initiated by Claudia Solís-Ogarrio, has garnered over 1,380 verified signatures. It emphasizes the historical significance of the site, arguing that transforming it into a cabaret would fundamentally alter its original character and purpose. The signatories demand that the Casa del Poeta and its library remain dedicated to art and literature, warning that the change would represent an irreparable loss for current and future generations.

This place has been a fundamental pillar for writers, artists, and citizens seeking to connect with the legacy of Ramón López Velarde.

— Petition statementHighlighting the cultural importance of the Casa del Poeta.

Supporters of the petition have proposed alternative uses for the space, such as hosting literary workshops, conferences, and events for emerging artists, to preserve its cultural essence. The Zacatecano Institute of Culture has also expressed concern over the proposed change and called for alternative solutions to be explored.

Changing the purpose of this space would represent an irreparable loss for current and future generations.

— Petition statementEmphasizing the long-term consequences of the proposed change.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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