The Embassy of Mexico informs that on Thursday, July 19, at 7:00 PM, the exhibition "Huipiles: A Celebration" will be inaugurated at the Mexican Cultural Institute (2829 16th St., Washington DC, 20009). The event, organized by the Smithsonian Latino Center and the Mexican Cultural Institute in collaboration with MATT.org (Mexicans & Americans Thinking Together) Foundation and The Latino Coalition, will include a variety of activities related to a traditional female's dress widely used in Mexico, the huipil.

The exhibition will feature colorful huipiles of the collection called "Huipilistas"; pictorial and photographic works of Kathy Sosa, Liz Garza Williams, Lionel Sosa and Cristina Sosa Noriega; figurines by Jacinto Guevara, huipil-embellished furniture by Veronica Prida, a literary essay by Sandra Cisneros, and a documentary film by Cesar Martinez and Al Obregon III.

The huipil is a typical female's dress made out of many ribbons that are tied up with trimming, colorful fabrics or handmade work. Cotton is the most used fabric, followed by wool and silk. Huipiles are used in states like Michoacan, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Queretaro, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche y Yucatan, among others, and also in regions of the United States.

On Friday July 20, at 7:00 PM, singer and actor Jose Ruben de Leon will offer a concert to pay tribute to one of the most important Mexican composers: Agustin Lara.

"Huipiles: A Celebration" is part of "Mexico at the Smithsonian," a program series organized by the Embassy of Mexico, the Mexican Cultural Institute and the Smithsonian Latino Center, to highlight different aspects of Mexican and Mexican American culture and heritage, through more than 20 programs-exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, lectures and more.