The arts and culture community will come together on 12 December 2016 at the Centro de las Artes to pay homage to the legacy of Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, who passed away on Friday 10 December at 62 years of age. On behalf of the IFACCA Board, members and Secretariat, we extend our condolences to Minister Tovar y de Teresa's family and friends, as well as our colleagues at the Ministry of Culture in Mexico.
The Ministry of Culture have issued the following statement:
The President of the Republic of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, expressed regret over the death of Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, who was the first Minister of Culture.
“The Government loses an exemplary man who served his country with vocation and dedication. As an exceptional public servant, he was a passionate and tireless promoter of Mexico and its culture in the world. We're going to miss you, Rafa. May you rest in peace.”
Mr Tovar y de Teresa:
- Held various positions in the Ministry of Finance and the National Institute of Fine Arts, which he also directed from 1991 to 1992.
- He was director general of Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 1979 to 1982, and ambassador of Mexico in Italy, from 2001 to 2007.
- During his time in charge of the Conaculta (Council National for Culture and the Arts), he created the National System of Art Creators, the National Center of the Arts (Cenart) and the Center of the Image.
- He was appointed Minister of Culture on 21 December 2015.