**Anahí Martínez and the Future of Culture in Mexicali: A New Literary Contest on the Horizon**
Anahí Martínez García has been confirmed to continue as the General Director of the Mexicali Municipal Institute of Art and Culture (IMACUM) for the 2024-2027 term. She has been in this role since March after previously serving as the coordinator of Mexicali’s House of Culture in 2023. In an exclusive interview, Martínez discussed the budget, future plans, and new cultural initiatives under her leadership.
The IMACUM is set to maintain a budget just over 9 million pesos. In 2023, the institute received 9,219,130 pesos as a subsidy from the local government, with projections showing a slight increase in the coming years — reaching 9,504,230 pesos by 2025. “Our primary focus is to enhance cultural infrastructure, including seven cultural centers in the city and the Valley, as well as our network of 20 libraries,” Martínez stated.
Despite financial constraints due to its semi-independent status, the institute is eager to host events that bolster their budget and promote local talent. Plans are also in place to possibly establish a new cultural center in Mexicali’s Valley area, with a special focus on integrating cultural activities like workshops in schools that currently lack such facilities.
In a move to revive the city’s literary tradition, Martínez has pledged the creation of a new literary contest for Mexicali, akin to the National Poetry Prize in Tijuana. “We intend to rekindle the literary scene by introducing a contest that our city once eagerly anticipated,” she promised.
—
**In Other News: A Cultural Revival in Mexico**
In recent developments, cultural activities across Mexico are seeing a revival as various cities push for new initiatives. The capital city is hosting a series of public book fairs, aiming to make literature more accessible to the masses. Meanwhile, in Guadalajara, the International Book Fair is setting the stage for unprecedented participation from local authors.
Local governments are investing in infrastructure, building more libraries and community centers dedicated to cultural enrichment. These efforts aim to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, integrating underrepresented communities into the country’s vibrant artistic landscape.
In light of these changes, the Ministry of Culture is working alongside local entities to support creative events, secure funding for cultural projects, and increase the visibility of regional artists at national and international levels. These integrated efforts aim to foster a strong cultural identity and support the arts scene in the coming years.