Event Concept
Raíces Monarca is an initiative to honor and make visible the richness of the contributions that migrants make to the state of California, turning it into a multicultural melting pot. Our intention is to position this event as an annual celebration on the first weekend of October and expand it to other cities across California and United States.
We chose the monarch butterfly as our inspiration because it represents a symbol of one of the most extraordinary annual migrations connecting Canada, United States and Mexico. On its journey, the monarchs fertilize the ecosystem by pollinating dozens of wild species and crops, so providing ecosystemic services of great natural and economic importance.
Beyond its beauty and fragility, the monarch butterfly represents a living symbol of migration across geographical and political borders, a continuous search for suitable habitats. Through this event we will not only celebrate the majesty of this journey, seeking to draw attention to its conservation, we will also explore the deep connections between human migration and the cultural richness it brings to the places it touches.
Event Goals
Highlight the positive contributions of human migration around the world, showing how it enriches the places through which it passes by increasing ethnical and cultural diversity
Educate and promote the conservation of the monarch butterfly, its habitats, and the ecosystems that support its migration, highlighting the importance of international cooperation for its protection.
Make the monarch butterfly a visible sign that migration is a natural phenomenon that transcends borders and connects communities across countries.
Reflect on the importance of migration in the construction of diverse cultural identities and intercultural understanding.
Proposed Activities
Raíces Monarca
01
Artistic and Cultural Exhibitions
Presentation of handcrafts, music, dance, and cultural expressions inspired by the diversity offered by different sates of Mexico. Furthermore, show different aspects of cultural contributions that migrants make to the places they have chosen as their destination of passage or permanent residency. During this first edition, we will focus in promoting and showing the states of Michoacán, the region housing the hibernation sanctuaries of the monarch butterflies in Mexico, and Jalisco, the home of tequila and mariachis
02
Interactive Workshops/Talks
Organize fun educational activities for children and adults, including workshops, talks and interactive presentations to show the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the migratory routes followed by the monarchs and the challenges they face. These educational activities will provide opportunities to get involved in the conservation of this unique natural phenomenon.
03
Gastronomic and Crafts Fair
The Mexican Federal Government through its Consulate General in Sacramento and State authorities from Mexico and California will participate on this event. This year, a significant delegation of regional and statewide authorities, educational organizations, artistic groups, artisans and cooks from the State of Michoacán will travel to Sacramento. In collaboration with the Mexican delegation, local organizations, City and State authorities, non-profits, and artists from the greater Sacramento region will also be heavily involved. These partners will support various aspects of the organization of the event, such as obtaining funds to cover the operating expenses, attract sponsors, coordinate and support the logistics and transportation of cultural music and dance groups, and visiting artisans, as well as educational specialists that will carry out gastronomic and crafts workshops.
