Poet and editor Antonio Calera-Grobet has passed away.

Eirinet Gómez

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, August 18, 2025, p. 5

The literary community expressed its grief following the death of Mexican poet, writer, and editor Antonio Calera-Grobet. Their condolences highlighted his role as a promoter of the word, but above all, as a creator of cultural spaces.

The poet Calera-Grobet's voice was extinguished at sea off the coast of Yucatán this weekend while he was on vacation. With his passing, one of the most active and committed figures in Mexican culture has been lost.

“We are saddened by the news of the death of Calera-Grobet (1974-2025), a trafficker of ideas as a writer, editor, cultural journalist and tireless disseminator of culture,” wrote Ediciones Periféricas EP, which published his last book of poetry: Xajays (2023).

Calera-Grobet was born in Mexico City in 1974 and published poetry collections such as Yendo (2014) and Sed Jaguar (2018). He also explored genres such as essays, novels, and chronicles with titles such as Gula: de sesos y lengua (Gula: of brains and tongue) , ¡Carajo! (Carajo! ), Zopencos (Zopencos) , and Sobras completas (Complete Leftovers).

Her enthusiasm for creation wasn't limited to writing: she soon became the leader of projects in public institutions and independent spaces, such as Casa Vecina, Casa del Lago at UNAM, and the Mexico City Museum. She also designed initiatives with a memorable impact, such as La Chula Foro Móvil, a mobile library that brought books, poetry, and live readings to neighborhoods and urban corners across the country, and La Bota Inn (2005), a restaurant in the Historic Center that hosted recitals and discussions on contemporary poetry.

He was also notable for founding Mantarraya Ediciones (2002), an independent publishing project that promoted graphic and literary experimentation. This publishing house has published more than 60 titles by Latin American writers.

Yudi Martinez, a writer from Querétaro, recalled that when his first collection of poems arrived in Calera-Grobet's hands, he invited him to read his verses at La Chula, along with other young poets under the age of 20. "He welcomed us at La Bota with incredible kindness, with a genuine interest in our poetry.

"This Sunday morning, there's no other word than thank you! For your advice, recommendations, reading, and friendship. See you soon, surely before the end of the world," Martínez wrote on social media.

Óscar Alarcón García, author of the short story collection Polimastia , recalled the occasion when Calera-Grobet presented his poetry collection Sed Jaguar at La Bota. “The place was a haven of culture and good food . Here's a photo from those rare times I would read his work at his house. A tireless promoter, friend, editor, and great person, a bright light wherever you go.”

"How do we imagine this city and its poetry without you? How do we imagine the future and the words that light the way? How can we understand each other without the home that has been your life and the spaces you built for so much humanity?" said Inti Muñoz Santini, Secretary of Urban Development and Housing of Mexico City.

Octavio Avendaño Trujillo, director of the Sonora Art Museum, recalled that upon his arrival in Mexico City, he visited La Bota, which by then had become a sanctuary for poets. There, he found writers Erick Castillo, Daniel Lezama, and Antonio Calera at a table. “Daniel asked me if I was one of the promising young Mexican poets, while Antonio politely intervened, offering me whatever food and drink I wanted, free of charge.”

“I will love”

Avendaño recounted that Calera-Grobet's kind gesture toward him was repeated numerous times with hundreds of young creators. He added that another characteristic of his was that he always kept a close eye on the country's political pulse, which is why they often met at marches and meetings where they held on to the hope of improving Mexico's future.

“Antonio did more for the culture of this city than many secretaries and officials of Culture. He was a friend to so many and to everyone. Poetry will always be with him,” shared Fátima López, who wrote the collection of poems, “Secret Nomenclature .”

“My favorite poem by Antonio is “Amaré,” from his book, Sed Jaguar . In it, he describes how one day he will build a boat for his friends, a boat that will fit us all. The boat will be called Amaré . Yesterday Antonio left for that boat,” he added.

Following the passing of Antonio Calera-Grobet, cultural institutions such as the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (Inbal) and publishing houses such as Malpaís Ediciones also expressed their condolences.

"Antonio Calera-Grobet promoted publishing and artistic projects that opened spaces for dialogue between words, images, and the arts. We express our condolences to his family, friends, and the cultural community that supported him throughout his career," INBAL announced on its social media.

Daniel López Aguilar

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, August 18, 2025, p. 5

In the context of the bicentennial of Mariano Escobedo's birth, which will be celebrated on January 16, 2026, the National Institute for Historical Studies of the Mexican Revolutions (Inehrm) and the municipality of General Escobedo, Nuevo León, launched the call for entries for the Special National Historical Essay Prize.

This award bears the general's name and aims to "encourage research on one of the key figures in 19th-century Mexican history."

For Felipe Ávila, director of Inehrm, Mariano Escobedo (1826-1902) represents values that remain valid in today's Mexico.

"He was a soldier and politician who participated from a very young age in the fight against Santa Anna's dictatorship, the Reform War, and the resistance against French intervention," he explained in an interview with La Jornada .

"He defended independence, sovereignty, and legality with a commitment that placed the nation above personal interests. Although he was instrumental in episodes such as the siege of Querétaro and the capture of Maximilian, his figure has been little explored in historiography, as was the case with other figures of his time."

Ávila noted that "there are few biographies and specific studies on him, so this competition opens fertile ground for researchers, especially young ones, who wish to contribute new perspectives on his military, political, and regional career."

The agreement signed in May between Inehrm and the municipality of General Escobedo aims to promote historical dissemination and strengthen the connection between society and its past.

Engine for identity and social commitment

“History should be a driving force for identity and social commitment,” Ávila stated. Furthermore, “this alliance provides academic support for the award through a jury composed of specialists in the era of the Reformation, Juárez's reign, and the Republican Restoration.”

The call is open to adults, Mexicans, or foreigners with at least five years of legal residence in the country, who have completed research projects in history or related social disciplines, focusing on historical processes in which Mexican military officer Mariano Escobedo participated.

The digital submission process will be open until 5:00 PM on November 28, 2025. Interested parties should submit their work along with the registration form—available at forms.gle/ubWuEcfu12ur1BVB8—to [email protected] . For more information, please call 818-220-6198, extension 3130.

The monetary incentives are 100,000 pesos for first place, 75,000 for second place, and 25,000 for third place.

The winning essays will be published in print and digital formats, while the honorable mentions will appear electronically. The awards ceremony will take place in May 2026 during the Las Artes Transforman Cultural Festival in the municipality of General Escobedo.

To ensure impartiality, the jury will maintain the confidentiality of its members and rigorously analyze each proposal. Ávila emphasized the importance of democratizing knowledge: "Digital publications allow these studies to reach the entire population."

Beyond the call, the director of Inehrm emphasized that rescuing figures like Mariano Escobedo is an act of historical justice.

"His legacy was largely overshadowed by other 19th-century figures, but he was instrumental in consolidating modern Mexico, both nationally and regionally. This award will foster the training of new specialists and enrich our understanding of 19th-century Mexico."

"The call invites us to reevaluate decisive episodes in our national history and to recover the voices of those who contributed to forging the nation, so that their memory may illuminate the present and future generations."