Hay Festival Querétaro 2021 – Politics

The US jazz expert Ted Gioia, a musician, composer, writer and lecturer, will talk to Mariana H. Together they will explore some of the ideas about music that Gioia has presented in his latest book, Music. A Subversive History (2019). This long essay presents the history of music, but instead of looking at matters of technique or style, it focuses on the relationship between music and everyday life, human experience, socio-political movements and pop culture. The conversation that all music-lovers have been waiting for.

The US jazz expert Ted Gioia, a musician, composer, writer and lecturer, will talk to Mariana H. Together they will explore some of the ideas about music that Gioia has presented in his latest book, Music. A Subversive History (2019). This long essay presents the history of music, but instead of looking at matters of technique or style, it focuses on the relationship between music and everyday life, human experience, socio-political movements and pop culture. The conversation that all music-lovers have been waiting for.

Certainly one of the most prominent debates today is the one about discrimination in all its forms. Given this fact, the importance of organizations such as Igualdades is clear. This organization works to build new narratives in our society, based on forms of expression that are free of hate, discrimination and stereotypes. In this lecture, we will share some essential points for creating communication that is non-discriminatory, more equal and more positive, whose ultimate goal is to create in fact, and not only in speech, a true integration of all. With Carmen Ortega Casanovas (Igualdades. Org), Claudio Flores (Tridente Aceleradora) and Gianella Carvajal (Pictoline) in conversation with Marion Reimers.

Although just a few years ago it would have seemed impossible, there now exists a considerable consensus around the idea that Western democracies are in serious danger, faced with the rise of authoritarianism, nationalism, autocracy and the extreme right. The writer and historian Anne Applebaum (United States), winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction for Gulag (2004), presents her most recent book, which tackles these and other themes: Twilight of Democracy. The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism (2020). Applebaum argues that through poisonous, simplistic and seductive messages, authoritarianism uses the media, the social media, political polarization and conspiracy theories to set up a worrying attack on democratic values, values that are defended in her book. She will talk to the jurist and academic Ana Laura Magaloni.

Although just a few years ago it would have seemed impossible, there now exists a considerable consensus around the idea that Western democracies are in serious danger, faced with the rise of authoritarianism, nationalism, autocracy and the extreme right. The writer and historian Anne Applebaum (United States), winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction for Gulag (2004), presents her most recent book, which tackles these and other themes: Twilight of Democracy. The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism (2020). Applebaum argues that through poisonous, simplistic and seductive messages, authoritarianism uses the media, the social media, political polarization and conspiracy theories to set up a worrying attack on democratic values, values that are defended in her book. She will talk to the jurist and academic Ana Laura Magaloni.

The chair of the Colombian Truth Commission, Francisco de Roux, will talk about this extraordinary analysis carried out in the country in order to establish a legal and sociological framework given the impact of decades of violence. The work of this commission has become a model for similar peace processes around the world. De Roux will talk to the editor of El País Mexico, Jan Martínez Ahrens.

At a time so polarized as the present, where the public conversation looks more like a competition to see who can impose their view most stridently, dialogue and the ability to listen and to see the world from others’ points of view have become more important than ever as a way to understand each other. So, as a festival of conversations, we are committed to the power of dialogue to build agreement and redefine our present and our future. As part of this spirit, this event brings together the Mixe linguist, writer and activist Yásnaya Elena Aguilar; the actor, director and activist Diego Luna; and the writer and journalist Antonio Ortuño; in conversation with the El País journalist, Javier Lafuente, to exchange points of view on how we can talk about Mexico.

This documentary, directed by Luciana Kaplan, focusses on the extraordinary story of María de Jesús Patricio Martínez, better known as Marichuy, the first indigenous woman to aspire to become president of Mexico, in 2017. In the end, Marichuy did not become a candidate, falling short of achieving the number of signatures required by the National Electoral Institute; however, the articulation of her proposal achieved something much more important: to unify the struggles of the indigenous peoples of Mexico into a community force, one that proposes care for the environment as a central expectation. The documentary will be followed by a discussion involving its director, Luciana Kaplan, and Samantha César, a representative of the National Indigenous Council, from the Amilcingo community (Morelos); moderated by Sonia Corona, an El País journalist.

The Digital event will start at 16:15.

Language: Spanish, Maya, Yaqui, Wixárika

Duration of the documentary: 82 minutes