History

A World of Friendship, Mexico 68

As one of the 20 events within the cultural program celebrated on the occasion of the Mexico ’68 Olympic Games, the World Festival of Children’s Painting was, without a doubt, the event that awakened the true spirit of universal brotherhood.

The project, created by Susana Jones with the support of the Architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, gathered together drawings and murals painted by children from throughout world. A world of Friendship was a space without borders, in which the voices from the most far away lands combined together in a single voice: a song of hope that overcame the barrier of language. A world painted by children, a real place, tangible, capable of offering us new discoveries and continual surprises, sites which are the abode of the gods, fairies, fish, birds, a paradise inhabited by butterflies, flowers, fantastic skies and above all children, many children.

Eighty countries from five continents participated in the convocation so that their children could express, through painting, their feelings on Friendship. More than 1800 drawings arrived in Mexico. Children were invited to come with their sports delegations during the celebration of the games to meet in Chapultepec, sharing their ideals on more than 120 murals and sound installations that resonated through the forest as a symbol more of communion.

The drawings that were exhibited shared space with the Olympic Gymnasium in the National Auditorium, while the murals were placed along the Avenue Paseo de la Reforma, beginning with the Lions’ Gate and continuing on to the auditorium, thus converting the boulevard into an immense art gallery.

A good part of this invaluable collection has been lost, however a significant part remains with us that allows us to understand the universal value of this heritage. 
The drawings and murals need to be restored.  An honorary adoption system has been developed for them that not only allows people to participate in their rescue but also to be a part of exhibitions in Mexico and the world.

Advancing with the restoration process will allow for travelling exhibitions. To find out more about the showings, please write to andrea@mexico68.org