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21.10.04

Wal-Mart at Teotihuacan

TeotihuacanA disturbing article (Mexique: le supermarché et les pyramides, October 18) from France 2 Cultural News informed me that a Wal-Mart superstore will open, on November 15, only 2.5 km (1.55 miles) from the site of the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, not far from Mexico City. (I have since seen some coverage in the English-language press. Cronaca mentioned the story on September 10.) Teotihuacan, a name meaning "city of the gods," is the ruin of a vast city and sacred precinct, revered by all of the Mesoamerican cultures living in that part of the world from the time it was created, starting around the time of the birth of Christ. According to the article (my translation), the Wal-Mart superstore:

is located within the perimeter of the site classified as part of the World's Patrimony of Humanity, in the center of the village of San Juan Teotihuacan, where many houses and businesses have sprung up over the last few decades. Furthermore, an automobile dealership and a hotel will allegedly be opened next within a short time. The activism of those opposed to the project has thus been of no use. On October 14, 63 Mexican artists and intellectual leaders sent an open letter out of desperation to the Mexican President, Vicente Fox, asking for an immediate halt to the work and for a new location to be found.
Very depressing. Can Disneyhuacan be far behind?

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