The State’s Ministry of Culture establishes new alliances, showcases its artistic heritage, and paves the way for long-term collaboration with Japanese institutions
Guanajuato, Mexico, May 13, 2025. The State of Guanajuato took a decisive step toward international cultural collaboration during a recent official tour of Japan, led by the Governor and accompanied by the Secretary of Culture, Lizeth Galván Cortés. The week-long visit resulted in key agreements aimed at strengthening cultural diplomacy, artistic exchange, and educational opportunities between Guanajuato and various Japanese institutions.
In a series of high-level meetings and cultural events held in cities such as Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Atami, the Guanajuato delegation highlighted the state’s creative potential and rich cultural legacy, forging connections that will shape a new chapter of bilateral cooperation.
Key accomplishments of the tour include:
- Launch of the “11,500 km: Guanajuato–Hiroshima” platform: This ambitious cross-cultural initiative includes artist residencies, art and gastronomy biennials, a graphic arts workshop inspired by Arroyo Seco, a Design Award in collaboration with Mazda, and other creative programs. The project was formally presented to Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture.
- Collaboration with the Japan Foundation: In Tokyo, Secretary Galván met with Shimoyama Masaya, Executive Vice President of the Japan Foundation, who agreed to send the Foundation’s Mexico Director on an official visit to Guanajuato to explore future cultural collaborations.
- Invitation to Japan’s Creative Industries Festival: Guanajuato was proposed as the first Mexican state to be a guest participant in the Creative Industries Festival in Tokyo and Hiroshima. Additionally, the 2026 edition of the state’s iconic Catrina Parade will feature Guanajuato’s cultural heritage as its central theme.
- Art exhibition featuring Rivera and Costa in Hiroshima: The exhibit Landscapes and Traditions of Guanajuato was inaugurated at the Hiroshima Prefectural Cultural Center, showcasing 40 works by iconic artists such as Diego Rivera, Olga Costa, José Chávez Morado, and Salvador Gallardo, with the attendance of Mexican Ambassador to Japan Melba Pría.
- Participation in the World Culture Forum: The MOA Museum of Art in Atami extended an official invitation to Guanajuato to take part in the upcoming World Culture Forum on May 31. Discussions were also held with the Taka Ishii Gallery about Japanese interest in Mexican contemporary art.
- Prospects for Tokyo Ballet in Guanajuato: Talks began with Hiroko Onoue, representative of Tokyo Ballet, to arrange the company’s first performance in Mexico—scheduled to take place in Guanajuato in 2027.
- Graduate scholarship initiative with Shizenkan University: A new postgraduate scholarship program was proposed for Guanajuato workers employed by Japanese companies, with a focus on business and innovation.
- Binational training in cultural production: Discussions with cultural officials in Tokyo and the Mexican Embassy opened the door for a bilateral training program that would welcome Japanese creators to Guanajuato for hands-on education in cultural management.
- Cultural exchange with Noh theater master: The delegation met with Manjiro Tatsumi, a leading figure in traditional Japanese Noh theater, to explore the possibility of presenting Noh performances in Guanajuato as part of an intercultural exchange.
- Mariachi Juvenil Camperos shines in Hiroshima: The youth mariachi ensemble from León performed at the Hiroshima Flower Festival, captivating audiences with Mexican classics—some sung in Japanese—as a heartfelt symbol of friendship between the two cultures.
Through these initiatives, the Government of Guanajuato reinforces its commitment to culture as a powerful force for connection, identity, and international visibility. The Japan tour marks a meaningful advancement in the state’s global cultural agenda and underscores the enduring power of the arts to build bridges across the world.
