Mexico City Culture Secretariat Apologizes for Inappropriate Photography Workshop Promotion
Mexico City, January 15 – The Mexico City Culture Secretariat has issued a formal apology for an inappropriately worded social media post used to promote a concert photography workshop. The message, which was also published by the Museum of Photographic Archives, sparked outrage online due to its insensitive phrasing.
The controversial post, published on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, invited the public to a concert photography workshop with the phrase “Do you want to photograph concerts and not die trying?”. This statement was widely criticized for its perceived mockery of a serious situation, particularly in light of recent tragic events involving Berenice and Miguel Ángel.
Immediate Backlash and Swift Removal
The social media post quickly garnered negative attention, leading to a wave of indignant comments from users who found the phrasing offensive and disrespectful. The backlash prompted the Culture Secretariat to remove the publication from all its social media platforms, as well as those of the Museum of Photographic Archives, within a day of its initial posting.
In an official statement released on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Secretariat acknowledged its error. “Regarding the publication made on social media this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, inviting to the concert photography workshop at the Museum of Photographic Archives, this agency offers its most sincere apologies for the wording used in the text, which has already been removed from all social networks of both the museum and the Secretariat,” the statement read.
Direct Apology to Affected Families
Beyond the public apology, the Secretariat also confirmed that it had directly contacted the families of Berenice and Miguel Ángel to offer its “most sincere apologies.” The statement clarified that, “while it is an irremediable drafting error, the phrase was not used with the intention of making fun of this very serious situation and was only used as an expression that is colloquially used in the country.”
This explanation, however, did not fully quell the criticism, as many argued that even colloquialisms can be insensitive when used in certain contexts, especially by official government bodies. The incident highlights the importance of careful consideration in public communication, particularly when addressing sensitive topics or promoting events.
Context of the Controversy: “Not Die Trying”
The phrase “not die trying” gained particular notoriety in Mexico following the tragic deaths of Berenice Giles and Miguel Ángel Rojas, who were crushed to death at the entrance of the New Mexico City Arena during the first day of the “Axe Ceremonia” festival in 2023. The phrase was used by some media outlets and individuals to describe the dangerous conditions at the event, making its appearance in the workshop promotion particularly jarring and offensive to many.
Impact on Public Perception and Future Communications
This incident has raised questions about the internal review processes for public communications within the Mexico City Culture Secretariat and its affiliated institutions. Critics suggest that a more thorough vetting process could have prevented such an oversight and the subsequent negative public reaction.
Moving forward, the Secretariat is expected to review its communication guidelines to ensure that all future promotional materials are sensitive, appropriate, and respectful, particularly given the public nature of its role in promoting culture and education within the city. The event serves as a cautionary tale for public institutions regarding the careful crafting of messages in the age of rapid social media dissemination and scrutiny.
The controversy surrounding the workshop promotion has temporarily overshadowed the educational intent of the event itself. Details regarding the rescheduling or revised promotion of the concert photography workshop are yet to be announced.
