Poet House Defenders to Protest Lack of Response from Culture Secretary

Defenders of the House of the Poet (Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde) are preparing to protest, citing a lack of response from the Mexico City Secretary of Culture. The Committee for Defense views the two weeks of silence following their communiqué as a deliberate "dilatory tactic" by Secretary Ana Francis Mor, which they argue shows institutional disregard and disrespect for the artistic community and the public.

In a statement released on social media, the committee reiterated its demands from a June 25 communiqué and announced continued demonstrations until specific exigencies are met. Key among these demands are assurances that the Café-Bar Las Hormigas, a central space within the House of the Poet, will be used exclusively and freely for poetry and related artistic expressions generated by the poetic community, rejecting the incorporation of unrelated performances.

Furthermore, the committee seeks clarity on the operational mechanism for the Café-Bar's beverage sales. They emphasize that this sales function was intended solely to accompany poetic activities, not to become a lucrative business. They demand public disclosure of this mechanism, including whether it has been or might be concessioned to a private entity, and if so, details of the public bidding process, its terms, conditions, and beneficiaries.

The committee also insists on preserving the House of the Poet's institutional policy of providing open and free access to its spaces for all poets and editors seeking to present books, magazines, and readings. They reported that during a "Dialogue Table," they were informed of an imminent official response, but none has materialized. The committee also noted the evident participation of interests external to the House of the Poet and poetry itself during these discussions, which they believe violate the institution's foundational decree and undermine their preservation efforts.

“

This practice represents a profound lack of respect for the artistic community and the citizenry and is incompatible with a democratic governmental exercise.