Sad news has reached us. Our friend Pedro Alonso Palacios Vargas from Mexico has passed away. In the years 2004-2009 and 2011-2016 Pedro was a member of the Artistic Committee of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS.
He was a folk culture educator. Since 1959 he taught at many educational levels - from primary schools to universities. He was the founder and director general of Conjunto Folclórico Magisterial (1963) - an organization established to promote intangible cultural heritage in 60 countries and all schools in Mexico.
Pedro was the main coordinator of the Panorama of Cultures during the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies in Mexico (1982). He was also a member of the following government institutions: the Institute of Social Services for State Workers, responsible for welfare issues; the Administration Bureau of Educational Travel Services for Students and Young People (SETEJ Mex), coordinating the international youth exchange programs. Pedro also served as an adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing assistance with regard to the cultural exchange of folk ensembles with Europe, as well as a member and representative of CIOFF and the UNESCO International Committee.
Besides, he acted as a juror at international festivals, a coordinator for the Traditional Dance Congress in Merida (Mexico) and Quito (Ecuador) for CIAD - a research organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education. He was a laureate of many state awards received from Mexico and Ecuador, as well as ones presented by UNESCO.
Pedro was the main coordinator of the Panorama of Cultures during the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies in Mexico (1982). He was also a member of the following government institutions: the Institute of Social Services for State Workers, responsible for welfare issues; the Administration Bureau of Educational Travel Services for Students and Young People (SETEJ Mex), coordinating the international youth exchange programs. Pedro also served as an adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing assistance with regard to the cultural exchange of folk ensembles with Europe, as well as a member and representative of CIOFF and the UNESCO International Committee.
Besides, he acted as a juror at international festivals, a coordinator for the Traditional Dance Congress in Merida (Mexico) and Quito (Ecuador) for CIAD - a research organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education. He was a laureate of many state awards received from Mexico and Ecuador, as well as ones presented by UNESCO.