Mazatlan Celebrates Foreign Community With International Week, "Spring and Friendship"

Mazatlan Celebrates Foreign Community With International Week, "Spring and Friendship"

MAZATLAN, Mexico, March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The city of Mazatlan will host International Week, "Spring and Friendship," this week in recognition of its foreign residents. The week-long festival, from March 19 to 25, builds on an initiative by the state government to celebrate the international community, over 9,000 of who are based in Mazatlan. International Week includes a range of eighteen cultural and culinary events, such as live music and dancing performances, art gallery viewings, sports activities, and beach celebrations.

"We are fortunate to have such a thriving and engaged international community," said Oralia Rice, Secretary of Tourism. "International Week is an opportunity to engage that community while celebrating the vibrant culture and longstanding traditions of Mazatlan."

Highlights include: a Spring Equinox celebration to observe traditional Indian rituals of the state; a tour of the city's historical center to learn more about local art and culture; and the first annual "Flight of the Monarch Butterfly" gala to bring together Mazatlecos and foreign residents at the Mazatlan Norte Rotary Club.

To further engage the international community - 4,000 are projected to attend different activities throughout the week - chefs at twelve local restaurants will invite foreign residents to learn about and cook Mexican cuisine; in turn, the foreign residents can teach Mazatlecos, chefs and otherwise, about their local dishes - a fusion of local and foreign communities by way of food.

Mazatlan has been especially committed to engaging the international community. In 2011, Governor Mario Lopez Valdez led the first-ever forum for foreign residents by a Mexican government and established a series of commitments, such as the creation of an Advisory Council of twelve foreign residents. Now, in its second year, the open forum attracted over 1,000 attendees to further give voice to the international community and enhance its relationship with the government.

Mazatlan International Week aims to be one of many cultural activities to engage both the local and foreign community in Mazatlan. On Saturday, March 24th, nearing the end of the festival, foreign resident Simon Lynds will launch his project "Mazatlan My City," an online forum, information base and news channel for the international community and beyond.

Find more information about Mazatlan International Week on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sinaloa-se-siente/250862321652311

Find more information about "Flight of the Monarch Butterfly" gala here: http://monarchbutterflyinmaz.com/

Find more information about "Mazatlan My City" here: http://mazatlanmycity.com/

These materials are being distributed by Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide on behalf of the Mazatlan Tourism Board, Mexico. Additional information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

SOURCE Mazatlan Tourism Board

Mazatlan Tourism Board

CONTACT: For more information about International Week, or to arrange an interview with a Mazatlan spokesperson, please contact: Kelsey Garvey, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, +1-646-249-7629, kelsey.garvey@ogilvy.com

Web Site: http://mazatlanmycity.com

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