Yucatán’s newest tourist and cultural attraction is the Casa Manzanero Museum, dedicated to the 85-year-old Yucatecan singer-songwriter Armando Manzanero.
The space, which was inaugurated yesterday with the trova star himself, Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal and other dignitaries, has on display information and artifacts relevant to this history of Mexico’s most romantic music.
The 9-million-peso museum — the result of a collaboration of private initiative and state government — is the newest attraction at the Paseo 60 complex in the hotel zone.
A “Tour de la Nostalgia” was also presented, in which a double-decker bus takes visitors on a ride past parks and monuments relevant to Yucatán’s musical contributions including Santa Lucía Park, the art school in the old train station, the Armando Manzanero and Peón Contreras theaters, the Music Palace and the Museum of the Yucatecan Song.
“This museum is a sign of great respect and admiration, not only because he is one of the most talented and outstanding artists in the entire country, but also because of his willingness to help and his quality as a person,” said Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal before a crowd that included Mérida Mayor Renán Barrera Concha, singer-songwriter Carlos Cuevas and singer Jorge “Coque” Muñiz.
“I want to tell you that always, today more than ever, I am very grateful to my people, to all that great conglomerate of composers and music that Yucatán has. Music is the best memory you can carry in your pocket,” said Manzanero.
Armando Manzanero Canché, born in Ticul of Maya descent, is widely considered the premier Mexican romantic composer of the postwar era and one of the most successful composers of Latin America. He received a 2014 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in the United States.
