Soñe Futuro

Last Sunday, Nov. 29th, we participated in Soñe Futuro ("I dreamed the future") and amazing cultural and social event at the Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias. An event organized by Saul E. Mendez, an iconic company in fashion and food, as part of "Visionarios" a larger project to provoke people to dream a better Guatemala. Soñe Futuro looked to unlock to the public about 6 hectares of open spaces at the National Theater. 

The Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias is a complex of theaters, museums, plazas and gardens that is closed to the public except for specific performances at the theaters. Emilio Méndez and his team had the idea of reopening this space for families to enjoy a good and safe time outdoors. The entrance to the event was through a long stairway that remained closed for many, many years. I recalled when little in the late 70's (shortly after its opening) going up the stairs to access the theaters. I ignore why it was closed but the only way in became from the parking lot. Visitors missed most of the spaces filled with nature, sculptures, fountains, and trails and eventually forgot.

Picture taken from Soñé Futuro website

The event went beyond a open park, it included cultural activities like concerts, dancers, painters and performers. Also casual dinning with food trucks. An entrepreneurial spaces with fresh proposals from young entrepreneurs, a market place and a Young Entrepreneurs Market where kids from Acton Academy Guatemala ages 7 to 17 out up a store to sell products they developed. 

An overview of the Young Entrepreneurs Market from the "Teatro al aire libre"

The logistics of the event was flawless. From the coordination with the city to provide transportation, to the security and orderliness of the spaces, and the atmosphere made of Soñe Futuro an event of optimism and hope for the future. To me it was also a trip to the past to remember all those spaces I walked when young.

Congratulations to Emilio and the Saul E. Mendez family for such inspiring event. Congratulations to the artists who participated. Also to the entrepreneurs who pitch their projects, and of course the Acton Eagles who dare to invest in their businesses selling to strangers under real market conditions.

My kids selling. José Andrés a game he invented. and Mariafer peanut butter and nuts.