In Torreon, Mexico, it’s All Por Amor Al Arte

All in tune, Colegio Americano students get ready to speak with the heart, Mexican style (photo: CAT).

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For nearly 20 years Colegio Americano de Torreon (CAT) in Torreon, Mexico, has been celebrating the wonderful world of arts at its annual Arts Festival. The festival has three main goals: first, it impresses upon the students that school is not all about tests and papers. Second, it introduces students to a variety of different forms of art. And third, it is an occasion for students to see their teachers in a different light.

This year, the festival was themed Bellas de Artes, or ‘Beautiful Arts,’ and focused on the diversity of the Mexican arts. There is a saying in Mexico, according to which Mexicans speak with their heart. As a foreigner living in Mexico, I have learned that Mexicans do everything with their heart, and with full-on passion. This year’s display of Mexican dance, music, artistry, and culinary arts was no exception.

The committee invited a plethora of different artists to entertain the masses. The festival started off with a Mariachi band, including dancers, that got the party started for the whole school.

After that, a multitude of events happened simultaneously. There were fascinating exhibitions by local sculptors, painters and photographers who made their demonstrations interactive for the students. The festival also included educational booths to distribute information about local universities (with a focus on the arts), jewelry-making, movie production, book shops and more.

The festival committee also secured some of the best talent inside our school gates. Many teachers stepped it up to lend their own artistic talents to the celebration, as did our phenomenally talented student body.

CAT’s students put on debates, plays, and a spectacular final night Latin dance revue that I would surely have paid for in any major city. One could not help but sway to the rhythms of salsa, merengue, tango, cumbia, and even banda music.

By the end of the night, I was hugging everyone from sheer delight. It is amazing what students and teachers learn about each other, when they step out of the classroom, and I cannot imagine the spectacular event that will take place at CAT next year.

Next year the CAT Arts Festival will not only be celebrating its 20th anniversary, but Mexico itself will be celebrating its 200th independence day.

This will be a must-see event, so mark your calendar now!

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