The Growth of Mérida: From the Viceroyalty to the Early 20th Century —What if Mérida could speak for herself?

Join us at the Mérida English Library for a unique and engaging talk where the city of Mérida takes center stage — literally. Anthropologist and certified tour guide Cecilia de Teresa López Vázquez, a native of the city, will perform a creative and historically grounded reading of a fictional “letter” written by Mérida, chronicling her own expansion from colonial outpost to thriving modern hub.

Spanning over 300 years of change — from the Viceroyalty to the green gold of the henequén era — this presentation brings to life the rich and complex forces that shaped Mérida. With a background in field research, community anthropology, and cultural storytelling, Cecilia brings both depth and charm to her work.

Whether you're new to Mérida or have walked its streets for decades, this is a chance to discover the city from a fresh, intimate perspective.

About the Speaker

Born and raised in Mérida, Cecilia has a degree in Anthropological Sciences (Social Anthropology) from the Autonomous University of Yucatan (UADY). She has worked in Mérida and surrounding villages as a social researcher for UADY investigation programs and also for her thesis subject - Family Relationships in Former Henequen Haciendas. As a certified tour guide, she has been working in the Yucatán Peninsula for the last six years, mostly in archeological sites and colonial cities.