Amman, Nov. 4 (Petra) - The Embassy of Mexico, in partnership with the Instituto Cervantes - Amman and Darat Al Tasweer, opened the exhibition "Xico in Jordan: Legends of Mexico and the Arab World" at the Ras Al-Ain Gallery on Monday, bringing together two storytelling traditions separated by oceans yet bound by imagination.

The exhibition presents 22 vividly illustrated legends curated by Cristina Pineda, the celebrated Mexican designer and cultural visionary behind the project. Drawing from her books Las Leyendas de Xico - a compendium of myths from across Mexico’s states - and Arab Legends, inspired by the region’s rich oral heritage, the exhibition creates a visual and narrative bridge between Latin America and the Arab world. Each legend can be read digitally through an accompanying QR code.

Pineda, co-founder of the acclaimed design house Pineda Covalín, has long championed Mexico’s Indigenous identity and artistic heritage on the global stage. Her brand’s designs, infused with pre-Hispanic symbolism and contemporary aesthetics, have earned international recognition. In 2024, she received UNESCO’s National Design Award "Diseña México" for her contributions to design and cultural diplomacy.

At the heart of her work lies XICO, a character modeled after the Xoloitzcuintle, the ancient Mexican dog regarded as a spiritual guide. Conceived as an ambassador of creativity and cultural dialogue, XICO has evolved into a global symbol of transformation - featured in the animated film El Camino de XICO and a series of art books that celebrate mythologies from different civilizations.

Pineda described Xico in Jordan as "an encounter between two worlds of legend and light," reflecting on how the oral traditions of both regions "carry the same heartbeat of imagination, memory, and shared humanity." The exhibition’s launch comes as Mexico and Jordan celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, marking a moment of reflection on the enduring ties between the two nations and their shared belief in the power of art to foster understanding across cultures.

Guests at the opening included members of the diplomatic corps, academics, artists, and cultural figures. During the ceremony, Cristina Pineda presented Mohammad Nabeel Himmo with the "Xico in Jordan" Design Award, recognizing his winning entry in the competition jointly organized by the Embassy of Mexico and the Instituto Cervantes.

The exhibition runs through November 10, 2025, and is open to the public Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Ras Al-Ain Gallery in downtown Amman.

//Petra// AA