Tijuana Cultural Center facts for kids
| Centro Cultural Tijuana | |
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| Established | 20 October 1982 |
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| Location | Tijuana, Mexico |
| Type | Cultural center |
| Collections | Museo de las Californias |
The Tijuana Cultural Center, often called CECUT, is a super cool place in Tijuana, Mexico. It's a big center where people can enjoy art, learn new things, and have fun. CECUT opened on October 20, 1982. Over a million people visit it every year!
This famous place in Tijuana has many programs for everyone. There are classes for babies and toddlers (2 months to 2 years old). Kids from 5 to 15 can join art and craft workshops. CECUT also hosts concerts, talks, movies, and exhibitions. It's a great spot to be entertained and learn something new at the same time.
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Exploring CECUT's Fun Attractions
CECUT has many exciting areas to discover. From a unique cinema to art exhibits, there's always something interesting happening.
The Famous "Ball" Cinema
The main part of CECUT is its amazing OMNIMAX cinema. It was designed by architects Pedro Ramirez Vazques and Manuel Rossen Morrison. This cinema is the only IMAX theater in Tijuana. People often call it La Bola, which means "The Ball," because of its round shape.
This special cinema uses a 360-degree projector. It makes you feel like you are right inside the movie! The theater has 308 seats. It has been part of CECUT since it first opened in 1982.
In October 1982, the cinema showed its first film, El pueblo del sol. This movie was made just for CECUT's opening. It showed beautiful scenes from all over Mexico and was very popular. For 13 years, it was the only film shown there! Today, the cinema offers different movies every day. It premieres about four new films each year.
Outdoor Plaza and Shops
CECUT has a huge open area called an esplanade. It can hold up to 6,000 people! This space is used for concerts, festivals, and big shows. It's a lively spot where many events take place.
There is also a large bookshop at CECUT. Besides books, you can find cool handmade crafts and unique design items there. It's a great place to find a special gift or a new book.
Museum of The Californias
Inside CECUT, you can visit the Museo de las Californias. This museum has a permanent exhibition with over 200 items. It tells the story of the Baja Peninsula and the U.S. state of California. You can learn about their history from ancient times up to the early 1900s.
Snail Garden and Cafe
Outside, there's a beautiful garden called Jardin Caracol, or "Snail Garden." It has sculptures inspired by ancient cultures from southern Mexico. These cultures lived there before the Spanish arrived. It's a peaceful place to walk around.
You can also find a small cafe in the garden. It's perfect for a quick snack or drink while enjoying the outdoor art.
Theater and Exhibit Spaces
CECUT has a large theater that can seat about 1,000 people. It's often used for private concerts and plays. There are also rooms for lectures and a video room.
The center has several smaller areas for temporary art exhibits. These spaces often feature new and exciting displays.
El Cubo: The Cube Gallery
In September 2008, CECUT opened a new building called El Cubo, meaning "The Cube." It got this name because it looks like a cube, which is a fun contrast to "The Ball" cinema.
Since it opened, El Cubo has hosted amazing art shows from different countries. Some past exhibits include works by Buda Guanyin, Gabriel Figueroa, and Alice Rahon. It's a modern space for international art.
El Cubo also has a restaurant called Cubo Bistro. It serves delicious French food. The menu is created by celebrity chef Javier Plascencia. He is famous for helping to create "Baja Med cuisine," which mixes Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors.
CECUT's History and Importance
The Tijuana Cultural Center opened in 1982. Its first goal was to encourage cultural tourism from the United States. The architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Manuel Rosen Morrison designed the building.
CECUT started as part of a national fund for social activities. Then, in 1983, it became part of the Ministry of Tourism. Later that year, it joined the Ministry of Public Education. Finally, in 1986, CECUT became independent. This meant it could plan its own activities and manage its own budget. In 1988, it focused on a wider national cultural plan.
CECUT is easy to reach! It's about a 2.1 kilometer (1.3 mile) walk from the San Ysidro border crossing into Mexico.
