With 118 million inhabitants, an extraordinary history, and vast natural resources – Mexico is one of the great nations of North America, but strangely neglected in international news media, except for items about drug cartels. Two of the country’s leading historians today, Lorenzo Meyer and Romana Falcón Vega, will be discussing Mexico’s modern history and present challenges. One key event – the Mexican Revolution – will be presented from the vantage point of a contemporary Norwegian observer, Maggie Plahte Lie (1863–1955).

For biographical information about Lorenzo Meyer and Romana Falcón Vega including details about their lectures at the University of Oslo on Friday, 14 September, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon.

Programme

10.30–10.45: Opening remarks by Ambassador Martha Bárcena Coqui.
Torgeir Rebolledo Pedersen: Poems in Spanish and Norwegian

10.45–11.30: Dr. Romana Falcón Vega: “Peasants and Indians before and during the Mexican Revolution. Popular reactions of resistance and rebellion”

11.30–12.15: Dr. Lorenzo Meyer: “Trends and problems in modern Mexican history"

12.15–13.15: Intermission

13.30–13.50: Dr. Lorenzo Meyer: “The Mexican Revolution as seen by contemporary European diplomats”

13.50–14.30: Camilla Plahte: “Photographs from chaotic times. A Norwegian woman’s views on the Mexican Revolution"

14.30–15.00: Dr. Victor Plahte Tschudi: “Maggie Plahte Lie in painting”

15.00–15.30: Hanne Tveter and musicians: “Music crossing borders”