Talk: The Changing State of Politics in Latin America || La Biblioteca Publica (Public Library)

The Changing State of Politics in Latin America.

Thursday, February 7th, 2019.

Sala Quetzal at La Biblioteca Publica (Public Library).

“Globalization has, over the last two decades, structurally adjusted local communities to conform to a new world order. It is no surprise then that social discontent is widespread in those countries where large portions of the population have not shared in the gains of economic development. Nowhere is this more evident than in Latin America where social discontent has totally transformed the political landscape in recent years.” Henry Veltmeyer.

The “red/pink tide” in Latin America, where progressive governments in numerous countries represented hope for many looking for a change from the neoliberal economic model that had dominated Latin America for so many years, but the political stage has changed radically of late. Veltmeyer explores these forces of political change offering a critical analysis of the most recent research by political and economic sociologists, development economists, and political scientists.

Henry Veltmeyer is a professor of Sociology and International Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University (Halifax), Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a prolific author on matters of Development and Globalization. He is also on faculty at the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, in the Unidad Académica en Estudios de Desarrollo.

Veltmeyer’s thematic focus in recent years has been on Globalization and Development. Other areas of research and writing include new social movements, political economy of development, the 2007–2008 world food price crisis, local development, and corporate power.

The library has thrived and grown through the generous gift of time and money by members of the community, and as is still the case, has relied for the past 50 years on the continued financial support of the people in San Miguel de Allende. The Biblioteca wishes to thank all of the generous persons, groups and companies for their donations of time and money. The library began in a private home in 1954 and moved in 1958 to its current location at Insurgentes 25. This year, the Biblioteca is celebrating its 50th anniversary at this address and will offer a series of special events. Aside from its holdings of more than 60,000 volumes in Spanish, English, German or French and its many lecture, film and theater events, the library grants scholarships to young students and offers cultural activities.

If you wouldn’t normally include a library on your vacation itinerary, you might want to reconsider when you’re in San Miguel. The city’s Public Library has an extensive collection of both Spanish- and English-language books and films, and offers a quiet respite from the sights and sounds of the city. In 1954, Canadian expat Helen Wale invited Mexican children to read through a collection of magazines in her home. Soon, the volume of visitors outgrew the space. In 1958, the library moved to its current location in an 18th-century building several blocks north of El Jardin in central San Miguel. Today, in addition to its abundant bilingual media, the library offers free classes for children on subjects like computers, painting and piano. The library also hosts cultural events and English-language tours that guide visitors through the neighborhood’s colonial architecture. Inside the library, you’ll find a courtyard cafe (good for a quick bite) and the Santa Ana Theatre, which shows international films and hosts concerts by San Miguel’s popular musicians. With its large number of events, the site has become a cultural artery for residents and visitors alike. “This is more than a library. It’s a memorable gathering point for Spanish and English speakers of all ages to share books, chess, movies, music and food,” one TripAdvisor reviewer wrote. The library is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided house and garden tours operate on Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon; the two-hour tour costs 150 MXN (about $12 USD) per person. Tickets can be purchased at library’s Ticket Center.