Mexico City’s cultural landscape is expanding with the imminent opening of the Museum of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Textiles. Federal Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza announced that the new institution will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, June 10, enriching the city’s already vibrant museum circuit.
Location and Significance of the New Museum
The museum is situated in the historic Palacio del Marqués del Apartado, directly opposite the Templo Mayor in the heart of Mexico City’s Historic Center. Its address is República de Argentina 12, corner with Donceles. This strategic location integrates it into a significant cultural corridor, making it easily accessible for both local residents and international visitors.
According to Curiel de Icaza, the museum’s establishment is part of a broader cultural agenda promoted by the federal government, particularly in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup. The initiative seeks to leverage the influx of national and international tourists to showcase Mexico’s rich historical, artistic, and cultural heritage.
The Secretary emphasized that the new venue will play a crucial role in the capital’s network of cultural spaces by centering the work, knowledge, and traditions of indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities. “It will be part of a very important agenda because it gives value and places at the center a fundamental part of Mexico’s living heritage,” she stated during a morning conference with President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Exhibits and Facilities
The Ministry of Culture has confirmed that the Museum of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Textiles will feature three floors of exhibitions, housing a permanent collection of 210 pieces. Beyond its exhibition spaces, the museum will offer a range of amenities to enhance the visitor experience, including a cafeteria, a restaurant, a recreational area, a temporary exhibition hall, a training room, a multi-purpose hall, an interactive room, and a storage facility.
Marina Núñez Bespalova, Undersecretary of Cultural Development at the Ministry of Culture, highlighted the museum’s broader mission on March 30. “The museum seeks to represent not only textiles but everything made by Mexican hands, which is why it is formed in collaboration with indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples,” she explained.
Coinciding with “Original 2026” at Los Pinos
The museum’s inauguration coincides with another significant cultural event in June: the 2026 edition of “Original,” a popular art fair held at the Los Pinos Cultural Complex. Secretary Curiel de Icaza proudly described “Original” as the largest popular art market in Latin America, bringing together hundreds of creators from various regions across the country.
“Today we inaugurate ‘Original’ at the Los Pinos Cultural Complex, which is the largest popular art market in Latin America and will also bring together more than 500 artisans with different formats, textiles, utilitarian art,” she noted.
The “Original” event, which runs from Thursday, June 4, to Sunday, June 7, features artisans dedicated to diverse traditional expressions. Textile work, in particular, is considered one of Mexico’s most representative cultural manifestations and will be prominently showcased. The event underscores the vital role of artisan masters in preserving the traditions, culture, identity, and diversity of their communities.
The opening of the Museum of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Textiles and the concurrent “Original 2026” event collectively underscore Mexico City’s commitment to celebrating and preserving its rich cultural tapestry, particularly the invaluable contributions of its indigenous and Afro-Mexican populations.
Source: https://www.chilango.com/noticias/museo-textil-pueblos-indigenas-afromexicanos-centro-historico/
