Культурная дипломатия Мексики: искусство и гастрономия как инструменты сближения с США

In an international landscape frequently marked by political differences, simplistic perceptions and stereotypes, culture offers a distinct path for connection. Cultural diplomacy, defined as the use of art, ideas, heritage, and cultural expressions to promote knowledge and understanding between societies, has become a cornerstone of modern foreign policy and is now an essential component of so-called soft power, which is nothing more than a country’s ability to foster closeness, trust, and influence through its identity, values, and creativity. For Mexico, few instruments possess such potential. Our ancient history, archaeological heritage, literature, visual arts, music, film and gastronomy allow us to show the world where we come from and who we are today: a pluralistic, contemporary and endlessly creative nation, in a process of permanent transformation. This is one of the most important components of cultural diplomacy: to replace preconceived notions with knowledge. An exhibition, a film, a concert, or a culinary experience can reveal dimensions of Mexico that rarely appear in everyday political discourse. Culture is a fundamental tool for humanizing international relations because it allows societies to get to know each other directly and discover the common elements that they share. In the Cali-Baja region, this function takes on a special dimension. Here, culture does not recognize the border as a line separating two isolated realities. Instead, it circulates, engages in dialogue, and transforms itself on a daily basis. Mexican identity coexists with American, Mexican American, and fundamentally, Chicano culture, which for decades has created its own languages in the visual arts, literature, music, and community life, making border interculturality one of the region’s greatest strengths. Cultural diplomacy becomes tangible when it generates spaces for encounter. The work of Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero now at the San Diego Museum of Art, for example, has used soccer, a language shared by millions of people, to reflect on identity, community and borders. A goal, woven by Mexican artisans, reminds us that in our country a ball game was played ritually more than 3,500 years ago. On the other hand, the gallery at the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego offers a permanent space to connect the public with contemporary Mexican artists and showcase the diversity and vitality of our nation´s creative minds. The film industry serves a similar function. The work of Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Guillermo del Toro has reached global audiences, but Mexican cinema is much broader. Filmmakers like Tatiana Huezo, Lila Avilés and Fernanda Valadez, among many others, allow audiences to glimpse the complex realities of contemporary Mexico and project a more nuanced and inclusive image of our country. Music demonstrates, perhaps better than any speech, the possibility of building bridges. The San Diego Symphony’s performances in Tijuana and the musical exchanges from Tijuana to San Diego transform the stage into a binational space. The same is true of gastronomy, where Mexican and border flavors are part of daily life on both sides and are a particularly powerful expression of identity, memory and cultural exchange. Therefore, a consulate’s cultural work is not limited to celebrating national holidays, but also involves building alliances with museums, universities, cinemas, libraries, orchestras, artists and community organizations to create permanent spaces for dialogue. In San Diego, we have specifically sought a regional, binational and multidisciplinary cultural agenda. In this kaleidoscope of activities, tourism complements this strategy. Culture sparks curiosity; tourism allows us to transform it into an experience. The #VisitMexico office, located at the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, allows visitors to directly experience its communities, heritage, gastronomy, landscapes, and ways of life. Thus, tourism promotion also becomes diplomacy, inviting people to discover the country beyond mere perceptions. In a border region where millions of people share history, economy, families, and culture, strengthening these ties is not secondary. Cultural diplomacy reminds us that relations between states are, ultimately, relations between people. And when people know each other better, conditions for dialogue, cooperation, and understanding between nations improve. Kerber Palma, a member of the Mexican Foreign Service, is the consul general of Mexico in San Diego.