San Pablo Villa de Mitla.— Every step through the Magical Town of Villa de Mitla, in Oaxaca, is accompanied by living history, adobe houses, the fretwork patterns of the archaeological zone as an identity of "the city of the dead," and the Zapotec roots of its inhabitants, but now color and art have also taken over its streets. These are the more than 100 murals that dress the urban landscape, created as part of the International Mural Festival (FIMMITLA), which has been held year after year since 2021, in which artists from different parts of the world have captured their talent to exalt the identity, traditions, and even mysticism from their inspiration. Marco Antonio Méndez, director of the Pitao Bezelao Cultural Center and founder of FIMMITLA, tells EL UNIVERSAL that this festival was born during the pandemic, since the town's economy depends largely on tourism and, at that time, in the absence of visitors, various inequalities emerged among the inhabitants farthest from the tourist corridor. The festival sought for artists to connect with the essence of the community and its traditions, which is why the Day of the Dead dates were the perfect peak. Photo: Isela HinojozaThis turned into a desire to help the population from different spheres, and art was no exception. He recounts that through the sum of local collectives and with the call to well-known artists, even foreigners, the first FIMMITLA was held, and in that year alone 28 walls were painted. Each year, the festival has a different theme; the invited artists not only paint during their stay, but also create bonds with the families who donate the walls of their houses, learn about local traditions, take part in activities with the community, and it is from that relationship that the art is born. In addition, one of the main objectives of FIMMITLA is to expand these creations among the different neighborhoods, so that they are not concentrated only in the tourist corridor, so that all inhabitants can enjoy art in their daily lives. "Art has become elitist and it is believed that only the person who buys it or who has a certain level of education to understand it can have it, but in this case muralism breaks with that because it brings art closer to everyone and it belongs to the people," says Marco Antonio. This year's edition, which took place from October 20 to 31, featured the participation of national artists from Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca, as well as foreigners from the United States, Canada, Chile, and Uruguay. These are Andrea Wan, Florencia Itzaina, Deseck One, Sidartha, Cristóbal Persona, Moff, Overunder, and Sonni, who came hand in hand with the Yolka collective, whose head, Eva Bracamontes, provided direction and accompaniment throughout the entire process. One of the murals was painted at the home of the Hernández Méndez family, which received the work of Chilean artist Cristóbal Persona. Photo: Isela HinojozaUpon arriving in Mitla, the artists began their activities with a ritual of permission from the earth guided by a Zapotec master, and for a week they worked on an assigned wall. This year eight murals were created, but many bonds were also formed. Such is the case of the Hernández Méndez family, which received the work of Chilean artist Cristóbal Persona. Josefina Méndez, the mother of the family, expresses to EL UNIVERSAL the emotion she felt when her wall was selected for intervention. She describes it as a "dream come true," as she always wanted her house to be part of the murals that bring life to Mitla. Through the joint work of Marco Antonio Méndez, of Pitao Bezelao, and Eva Bracamontes, of Yolka, among other coordinators, the aim was for the artists to connect with the essence of the community and its traditions, which is why these Day of the Dead dates were the perfect peak. When the artists leave, here the art remains alive among the community that appreciates it and lives with it, explains Marco Antonio, adding that "what we seek precisely with this festival is for connections to be made and for people to interact with the walls, knowing that they will wear over time, and that the community not think they are untouchable." You may be interested in: Man linked to proceedings for walking with a lioness in his truck in Aguascalientes; accused of illegal possession of fauna "Anti-Meme Law" comes into force; establishes jail time and fines for anyone who uses official logos to deceive "They detain Gabito Ballesteros for singing, while they protect Taddei and Rocha so they can sing"; Máynez lashes out at the 4T