Enrique de Jesús Trava Díaz, a painter and writer known for his contributions to the Yucatán art scene, died suddenly on Jan. 23 in Mérida. He was 69. Born Dec. 7, 1956, Trava Díaz came from a prominent local family and spent decades creating artwork that was exhibited across Mexico and abroad. His paintings hung…
Fifty years ago, what began as a work assignment became a life-defining decision. In January 1976, Joanna van der Gracht, a young Canadian woman, arrived in Mérida, Yucatán. She never imagined that this vibrant colonial city would become her permanent home — and the place where she would find love, build a family, and create…
Christian Rasmussen has spent over five decades blending a sharp artistic vision with careful anthropological study. The Danish-born visual artist, photographer, and anthropologist, born in 1943, has dedicated his life’s work to documenting the landscapes and cultures of Latin America. His deep and lasting focus is on Mexico, particularly the Yucatán Peninsula. Rasmussen first arrived…
Joann Andrews, founder of Pronatura Península de Yucatán and a leading force in conservation across the Yucatán Peninsula for more than four decades, died Sunday in Mérida. She was 96. Andrews arrived in Yucatán in 1964 after marrying archaeologist E. Wyllys Andrews IV. After his death from cancer in 1971, she chose to stay in…
The distinctive Persian-Mexican fusion that made Hotel Casa San Ángel a Mérida landmark has lost its guiding force. Doña Homa, as Señora Homa Banuet Abhari was affectionately known throughout the city, passed away Friday at 97, leaving behind a legacy that transformed a corner of Paseo de Montejo into something utterly unique. Her story reads…
Renowned painter and writer Gabriel Ramírez Aznar died today, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Yucatán’s most influential visual artists and a central figure in Mexico’s modern art movement. He was 87 and active very recently. Ramírez Aznar was born in Mérida in 1938 and became part of Mexico’s “Generación de la Ruptura,”…
The scientific community of Yucatán mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars. Dr. Eddie Salazar Gamboa passed away on Thursday following a brief illness. He was 79. His death marks the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to unlocking the astronomical secrets embedded in Maya civilization. A Pioneer of Archaeoastronomy Born on March…
With Murdoch Morrison and Annie Walwyn-Jones, stories unfold as naturally as a conversation over tea. Their life together spans decades, cities, and countries, woven with unexpected turns that have ultimately led them to a new chapter in Mérida. “I came to New York in 1975,” Murdoch begins, a faint smile crossing his face as he…
When she assumed office in October 2024, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, made history on multiple fronts. Not only is she the first woman to lead Mexico, but she’s also the country’s first president with Jewish heritage. Yet her relationship with that heritage reveals the complex identity questions facing Mexico’s small but influential Jewish community. Sheinbaum,…
Former Olympic diver and current Sports Commission director of Mexico’s National Sports Commission, Rommel Pacheco, celebrated a deeply personal milestone this past weekend. He and his wife, Lylo Fa, baptized their adopted son, Rommel Alberto, at the historic Ermita de Santa Isabel in Mérida. The morning ceremony, held at the colonial-era chapel south of Mérida’s…
Roberto Rojo was 30 meters underground when the drilling started. Stalactites that had formed over millennia began tumbling around him as a massive industrial drill punched through the limestone ceiling above. The biologist ducked for cover, phone in hand, recording what would become some of the most dramatic footage of environmental destruction in Mexico’s recent…
Yobaín Vázquez Bailón work blends meticulous historical research, political purpose, and narrative ambition. The Yucatecan writer’s journey into literature and anthropology began as a rebellion against his family’s expectations. His parents envisioned him continuing their family’s teaching legacy, but Yobaín charted his own course. “I recognize how important teaching is, but it does not really…
Senator Mauricio Vila Dosal’s decision to pause his Senate career and pursue a Master’s in Public Administration at Harvard University hints at his bold political ambitions. It’s also the latest chapter in one of Mexico’s most compelling political success stories—a journey from restaurant franchise manager to potential presidential candidate in less than two decades. The…
The 45-year-old diplomat oversees operations at the $211m Mérida Consulate, the largest US diplomatic investment in the Peninsula’s history.
Dreams have no expiration date, and here’s proof. A grandmother from the small Yucatán town of Ixil has captured hearts across social media after taking her first international trip at age 79. María Virginia Córdova Coba spent an entire year cooking to save money “peso by peso” for her dream trip to Colombia. The youngest…
Marta Cabané-Navarro knew it from the moment she walked into a home for sale in Mérida. The mid-century modern home was perfect for an artist.
Mérida has lost a dedicated leader and friend with the passing of Gary Sandblom at age 80 at his home in Durango, Colorado.
In some ways, Dr. Henry Daniel is exactly what you would expect from a professional dancer. He is fit and fills the room with energy. But then, on the other hand, his fascination with technology, philosophy, and performance, while at first a little bewildering, all begin to make sense once you realize dance is just…
Faraz Monroy Obledo has made history as the first Mexican 7-year-old to train and compete in Bangkok’s prestigious World Muaythai Organization World Cup.
We have four questions for artist-writer-storyteller Assata Akil about her career and philosophy. And about her fierce fictional character, IFE.
When Juan Pueblo shares his canvas with other artists, he thinks about how rappers work. “In rap, there is always collaboration between artists. If musicians can do it, why not painters?” says the effusive Mérida-born painter, whose full name is Juan Pablo Quintal García. “I’ve always wanted to be an artist, and I think, more…
Born in Vietnam and raised in California, Danh Nguyen studied graphic design at the San Francisco College of the Arts before pursuing a Master’s in Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After several years of balancing his teaching position at UC Davis with his architectural practice, Danh decided to step away from…
The art community is mourning the death of Mérida sculptor Jorge Guerra, known for his reclaimed wooden branches sold on the Paseo Montejo as charming, often whimsical pieces that capture the essence of nature and humanity. His unique artistic vision and commitment to environmental sustainability made him a beloved figure in Mexico’s contemporary art scene….
Andrea and Gregory Dykstra did not set out to run a full-scale ranching and artisanal food operation when they arrived in Yucatán. They had always dreamed of a place with space, a sustainable food supply, and a healthier lifestyle. Yet, as often happens, circumstances guided them toward a path they had not fully anticipated. Originally…
That’s all for now
That’s all for now