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When the Olympic flame flashed through Mexico City recently, a Mazatleco
named Ricardo Urquijo was one of the select few who got to carry the torch
here in Mexico. Regular patrons of events at the Angela Peralta Theater
know Urquijo, the theater´s tall, white-haired manager, because he often
stands in the outdoor lobby to greet people at the end of a performance.
And he always has a smile on his face. It was the Coca-Cola company, being
worldwide sponsors of the Olympic games to be held this month in Athens,
who chose Mexico´s torch bearers. They decided to invite people who were
distinguished in this country´s cultural affairs as well as in its sports
activities. Urquijo received his invitation because he has helped put
Mazatlán on the map as outstanding for its cultural activities throughout
all of the northwest of Mexico. He has received international recognition
for his achievements not only in the management of the Angela Peralta
Theater, but
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also as director of
the Mazatlán Municipal School for the Arts. His allotted 400 meters of
torch bearing began in front of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and he trotted
along Avenida Ayuntamiento before turning the flame over to the next participant.
Among others, these included Lolita Ayala, Antonio de Valdez and Germán
Dehesa. A fifth generation Maz-atleco, Urquijo has served as director
of cultural affairs for the Municipality of Mazatlan for 12 years and
four mayors. He has helped in the development of the Angela Peralta Chorale,
the Professional School of the Dance, the Municipal School of Classical
Ballet, the Ballet Folklorico Sinaloense, the Delfos Group (contemporary
dance) and two schools of music. As for the torch, after its run through
Mexico City it traveled on to Los Angeles, St. Louis, Atlanta, New York,
then to Montreal and across the Atlantic to Brussels and points eastward.
Last stop is Nicosia, Cyprus, on July 8, just before the games begin in
Greece.
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