Tequila is a magical town renowned for being the home to several distilleries in which blue-agave cores are transformed in the Mexican elixir we all love. La Rojeña, the house where tequila Jose Cuervo is produced, was recognized as the ancientest distillery in Latin America which, alongside agave plantations and many other ancient tequila-production facilities, were named Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Yet few people know that tequila is also the home to exciting charreria exposition rooms. Among them, you could find the Centro Cultural Juan Beckmann Gallardo whose exhibition Among them, you could find the Centro Cultural Juan Beckmann Gallardo whose exhibition “Charrería. La esencia de la Tierra” will leave you speechless.
Why is charreria honored in Centro Cultural Juan Beckmann Gallardo?
Along with tequila, gastronomy, and the town’s folklore, Charreria takes part in the Mexican identity. In our land, the alliance between man and horse was forged during the Colonial era and was crucial for the agricultural and farming development in New Spain.
Charreria skills aren’t entirely in the past. As they’re still used nowadays in competences and the farming, knowing how to ride a horse and make it run, gallop, stop and perform some tricks are essential abilities all charros must learn.
“Charreria. La esencia de la Tierra”?
Charreria plays such a crucial role in Mexico that it was introduced to the UNESCO’s Intangible-heritage list. And it was immortalized in the thoughts of people thanks to the Golden-Era films where Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete plays as the most gallant charros the world would ever know.
As entertainment and sport, charrerias are performed all far and wide Mexico. In fact, the National Charreria Congress and Championship is celebrated annually with around 100 teams competing for being recognized as the best.
What you could expect from “Charrería. La esencia de la Tierra”?
In this Exhibition hosted by Juan Beckmann Gallardo Cultural Center, you could find a vast collection of saddle chairs, charro costumes, spurs, ropes, and many other artifacts related to this activity. Each piece, handcrafted made, was restored by experts so you could admire it as it looked in its heyday.
These rooms are also equipped with the latest technology. It has several audiovisual materials for you to learn more about the origin and development of this beautiful tradition, and the changes done in clothes, in both the labor and the gala occasions. The second one is, by the way, famous for being the attire worn by Mariachis.
You’ll know the skills a charro must master, and discover the story behind the inclusion of women in this art when, thanks to its participation as Adelita in the Mexican Revolution War, during the XX-century, a new order was set in the whole country. Then, in the post-revolution era, escaramuzas earn a spot of honor in the arena.
At the end of your visit, you’ll see multiple art-pieces inspired by this iconic activity: a charro turned into an essential part of Mexican symbolism.
What else can I find in Centro Cultural Juan Beckmann Gallardo?
Other exhibitions about:
- Prehispanic pieces
- A perfectly preserved XVII-to-XIX-century carriages collection
- Neo Figurative and abstract sculptures and paintings
- The finest Mexican art
A fairly building which is the jewel in Tequila’s crown. All that and more awaits you at the Centro Cultural Juan Beckmann Gallardo!
Last update: 07/04/2021
