Mayan embroidery book receives national recognition in Mexico

The book ‘El bordado maya de Yucatán. Patrimonio vivo’ has received an honorable mention in the Art Book category of the XXVIII Antonio García Cubas Prize. The award was presented by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Anthropology and History Book Fair at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.

Edited by the Secretariat of Culture and Arts of Yucatán (Sedeculta) in collaboration with UNESCO and Fundación Banorte, the publication documents the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The work is based on research, testimonies, and documentary records, featuring direct participation from the practitioners of the tradition.

The project involved hundreds of embroiderers from various regions of Yucatán who contributed their knowledge to create a Safeguarding Plan aimed at ensuring the continuity of the practice for future generations. The initiative also included collaborations with various public institutions and private organizations to promote training, professionalization, and commercialization of the craft.