Elena Poniatowska blasts budget cutbacks

Celebrated writer and journalist Elena Poniatowska has spoken out against the proposed 2025 Federal Expenditure Budget (PPEF), which includes a 30% reduction in funding for Mexican culture. Calling the move “very serious,” the 2013 Cervantes Prize winner expressed her concerns on social media and during a roundtable discussion at the announcement of the II SOPHIA-FILCO National Prize for Young Literature: “Voices of the Future.”

“The government has decided to reduce the value of Mexican culture by 30%, which is alarming because culture is what defines us. Our writers and artists are recognized worldwide, and this decision undermines their legacy,” Poniatowska said.

Who Is Elena Poniatowska?

Elena Poniatowska, 92, is one of Mexico’s most iconic literary figures, known for her commitment to social justice and her ability to capture the struggles and triumphs of the Mexican people through her writing. Born in Paris, France, in 1932, Elena was the daughter of Polish-French aristocracy. Her family moved to Mexico in 1942, fleeing the upheaval of World War II. Though French was her first language, she became fluent in Spanish and immersed herself in Mexican culture, later becoming a Mexican citizen.

Her journalism career began in journalism in the 1950s, and she quickly gained a reputation for her interviews and chronicles that gave voice to marginalized groups, including workers, women, and Indigenous communities. Over the decades, she transitioned into fiction and non-fiction writing, producing works such as La Noche de Tlatelolco (The Night of Tlatelolco), which recounts the 1968 student massacre in Mexico City, and Hasta no verte Jesús mío (Here’s to You, Jesusa!), a fictionalized biography of a working-class woman.

Poniatowska’s accolades include the prestigious Cervantes Prize in 2013, which is considered the most important literary award in the Spanish-speaking world.

Connection to Mérida, Yucatán

Poniatowska has shown a deep appreciation for Mérida and the Yucatán Peninsula, where several family members reside, and she has visited frequently for literary events and cultural celebrations. She has praised the region’s rich heritage, artistic traditions, and role in preserving Mexico’s cultural identity. She was recently spotted in Mérida touring a family-owned home under renovation, sparking speculation that she may one day reside there.

The city’s designation as the Cultural Capital of the Americas exemplifies its importance in Mexico’s broader cultural landscape, something Poniatowska has often highlighted in her talks and writings. She believes regions like Yucatán are vital to preserving and promoting Mexican culture, making the proposed budget cuts especially troubling.

A Warning Against Cultural Erosion

During her recent remarks, Poniatowska emphasized the profound significance of Mexico’s cultural contributions, describing them as “infinite, valuable, and globally acclaimed.” She warned that the 30% budget reduction threatens the nation’s artistic and literary heritage and risks diminishing Mexico’s reputation on the global stage. For Poniatowska, preserving culture is essential to safeguarding the country’s identity, history, and soul—a sentiment deeply tied to her lifelong advocacy for social and cultural justice.