Free dance movement unites hundreds in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park

admin 2025年5月4日

Culture & Travel, Culture & Travel - Expert

©(AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

cumbia /KOOM-bee-uh/

[noun] – a traditional music and dance style that originated in Colombia, often combining African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences
The band played cumbia at the outdoor festival, bringing everyone to the dance floor.

liberating /LI-br-ay-tuhng/

[adjective] – freeing or releasing from restrictions or limitations
Many found the silent retreat liberating, as it allowed them to disconnect and reflect.

cathartic /kuh-THAHR-tik/

[adjective] – providing psychological relief through the expression of strong emotions
Writing in her journal was a cathartic way to release her stress.

symbiotic /sim-bee-OT-ik/

[adjective] – involving a close relationship between two different groups that benefits both
The startup and the tech university had a symbiotic relationship that led to new innovations.

egalitarian /ih-gal-i-TAIR-ee-uhn/

[adjective] – based on the belief that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities
The new company policy promotes an egalitarian workplace, where everyone’s voice matters.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 4 p.m., a dance gathering took place at a glass-walled pavilion in Bosque de Chapultepec, one of Mexico City’s largest urban parks. The event, organized by the Nueva Red de Bailadores (NRB), attracted a diverse crowd of over 300 participants, including youth, families, and senior citizens. Founded nine years ago, the NRB started as a small gathering in an apartment and gradually evolved into a citywide movement. Its purpose is to provide a safe, inclusive, and free space where individuals can dance without judgment, harassment, or social barriers. Since its founding, the collective has arranged approximately 300 dance events in various unconventional venues, including abandoned factories and botanical gardens.

The NRB operates without alcohol, admission fees, or formal security. Instead, it promotes communal responsibility, fostering a culture of respect and shared enjoyment. Organizers have established partnerships with government agencies and museums to secure technical resources, allowing for well-equipped events. Music at the events ranges from experimental jazz to Egyptian hip-hop and electronic-infused cumbia, offering a musically eclectic experience. Attendees have described the sessions as liberating and transformative, with some calling them a cathartic experience. Experts and members say that the success of the initiative lies in the symbiotic relationship between online promotion and real-world participation. The NRB continues to gain recognition for creating an egalitarian, innovative, and harmonious space where the act of dancing becomes both a form of expression and a social bridge.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Have you ever joined a dance event or performance? If so, what kind of music did you dance to? If not, would you like to try one? Why or why not?
Have you ever been to a public event in a park or an unusual place, like a museum or garden? If so, what was the event like? If not, where would you like to go for a public event?
Do you agree that people need more safe and free spaces to express themselves through dance?
Why do you think people of all ages join events like the NRB’s dance gatherings?
What are some possible challenges in organizing events without tickets, alcohol, or security?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

pavilion
youth
individual
free space
senior citizen