Wahaca

History & Heritage, News

Maya art lecture at The British Museum

If, like us, you’re a fan of the British Museum, and especially the Rulership and Ritual: Maya relief of royal blood-letting display, then here’s something to float your boat: As part of the BBC’s History of the world in 100 objects, Historian Simon Martin is leading a lecture about Maya art, and the unique window it gives on ancient American culture.

A queen pulls a thorny rope through her tongue as part of a sacred ceremony

The lecture kicks off on Thursday 8th July (That’s tomorrow, if you’re reading this today) at 18.30 in the Stevenson lecture theatre and tickets are £5. Check out www.britishmuseum.org for more details and to book your place.

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History & Heritage, Wahacos

Semana Santa & Exploding Judas Effigies

Easter is a big deal in Mexico where over 90% of the population is Catholic. The Easter period, known as Semana Santa, starts on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and comes to an end on Easter Sunday (Domingo de Pascua). But unlike in the UK, where Easter is mainly about chocolate eggs, roast lamb and school holidays, Mexicans approach Semana Santa with the explosive zeal that you’ll also see in Día de los Muertos. You can read more about the ins and outs of the celebrations and the culture of passion plays on Go Mexico.

But the most fun part about Easter in Mexico is the ritual explosion of Judas effigies. It takes place on Holy Saturday and is supposed to represent revenge for the betrayal of Jesus. Apparently the ritual was banned in Guadalajara after a few people died. Just have a look at the video of a witch being blown up below to get a flavour!

Semana Santa is also a riotously vibrant time for Mexican food. For wonderful stories about ice cream made from the ice from Mount Popocatépetl as well as recipes for the likes of Horchata, Agua de Chia and Pambazos head over to this article on Mexconnect by Karen Hursh Graber.

Further Semana Santa reading:

Mexconnect articles about Semana Santa
Go Mexico
Semana Santa photos on Flickr
Semana Santa Celebrations in Oaxaca

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History & Heritage, News, Wahacos

Inspired by Mexico – Malcolm Lowry

Our friend Jimena Gorraez – Belmar who works for the cultural minister for Mexico in London, is going to be updating us on Mexican culture in London and around the world with a few guest blogs. Mexican culture is taking over the London scene with so many exciting things to look forward to… Moctezuma at the British Museum now open, The Latin Film Festival, Gabriel Orozco exhibition at Tate Modern (coming soon apparently), and visits from some legendary Mexican chefs such as Monica Patino and Diana Kennedy.

Today Jimena is talking about Malcolm Lowry, the British poet and novelist most famous for his novel, Under the Volcano that he wrote while living in Mexico.

Little is known about the fascination that Mexico caused on some of Britain’s most important 20th century writers. The country was a magnet for those seeking a little bit more than an adventure but somehow ended finding a piece of heaven on earth.

This is precisely what happened to Malcolm Lowry whose centenary is celebrated from 24 September at the BlueCoat Arts Centre (www.thebluecoat.org.uk) in Liverpool. The programme will include a special section on his Mexico years which proved crucial in his life and literary career.

Malcolm Lowry went to Mexico in 1936 after spending some time the psychiatric ward of Bellevue Hospital in New York City. In an attempt to save his marriage to the famous French actress Jan Gabrial, the couple moved to the city of Cuernavaca. The marriage did not last long and Lowry was left alone in Mexico.

However, the city became the setting of his masterpiece Under the Volcano, also considered one of the greatest novels of the 20-century. In Cuernavaca, Lowry found the perfect landscapes for his groundbreaking novel.

Under the Volcano tells the story of Geoffrey Firmin, a British Consul posted to the small town of Quauhnauhuac (easily recognised as Cuernavaca) and his experiences during the Day of the Dead in 1938.

Later on, he moved to the beautiful city of Oaxaca where his alcohol problems aggravated to the point that rumour has it that Lowry forgot the first draft of his manuscript in bar. Luckily for us readers he got it back pretty quick.

Although living a turbulent and difficult life, it is undeniable that Lowry’s years in Mexico proved to be the most creative of his career. An author that did not published much in life but who left an invaluable legacy for literature lovers and who saw in Mexico a true source of inspiration.

Malcolm Lowry

www.thebluecoat.org.uk

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Events at Wahaca, History & Heritage, Uncategorized, Wahacos, What's Happening

Moctezuma, Aztec Ruler

The British Museum opens the doors on September 24th for its final exhibition in the series on great leaders with an exhibition on Moctezuma the Aztec Ruler. For more information on the exhibition check out OLA London coming out in October with an interview between Ignacio Duran (cultural minister for Mexico in UK) and Colin McEwan (the curator).

Wahaca is really excited to be part of it with Tommi (our Executive chef) holding a demonstration and introduction to Mexican cooking, as well as a discussion with Fay Maschler of the Evening Standard. 

For more information on the talk on Mexican food with Tommi and Fay Maschler click here  and for Tommi’s demonstration and introduction to Mexican food on the 28th November click here.

Wahaca customers also get a £2 discount off their tickets – pick up a card in one of our restaurants which will explain how to redeem this (subject to availability).

Tickets are on sale – visit the British Museum’s website at www.britishmuseum.org or call the ticket line  on +44 (0)20 7323 8181.

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History & Heritage, Wahacos

History and Heritage

Stay tuned for updates about how Wahaca was conceived and continues to evolve. Frequently our team head over to Mexico to see family and explore new ideas. We will post the stories here.

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