Patricia González Maass is  Directora, Instituto Cultural de México.

This piece ws originally published in the San Antonio Report. The photo is by Al Rendon, the words are by Patricia González Maass.

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Sometimes, in the conversations about Mexico and the U.S., we lose ourselves in what we do wrong, and forget what we do in both countries that’s right. Our Instituto in San Antonio was the first of its kind, starting 55 years ago as an exhibit in the consulate. Since then, the Ministry has opened Institutos in New York, Paris and other cities around the world, but we were the first, the inspiration for the others.

San Antonio is an amazing city, our Instituto is part of an amazing cooperation between local arts, military, amusement parks, tourists shaping a unique culture. There is no spiritual being that doesn’t love life – people in San Antonio live, they like to be themselves. We want to show San Antonio the things it wants to see about our country, the beauty, the magic, to be inspired by Mexico with exhibits and events they can relate to. I am a public servant, how can I serve you?