French photographer Philippe Paquet's exhibition "Mongolia: From the Gobi Desert to the Altai Mountains" made its global debut on August 14, 2025, at the National Museum of World Cultures (Museo Nacional de las Culturas del Mundo, MNCM) in Mexico City. The exhibition represents the first-ever presentation dedicated to Mongolia in the museum's long history and celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Mongolia.
The exhibition features 25 photographs that capture the essence of Mongolian life and landscapes, from the vast Gobi Desert to the towering Altai Mountains. This milestone exhibition serves as a cultural bridge between nations and continents, marking a significant moment in the museum's ongoing mission to showcase world cultures.
The opening ceremony brought together an impressive array of international dignitaries, highlighting the exhibition's diplomatic importance. Among the distinguished attendees were Ronald Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico; Marius Gabriel Lazurca, Romanian Ambassador; Sana El Mansouri, Libyan Ambassador; and diplomatic representatives from Cuba, Spain, and Portugal. Their presence underscored the exhibition's role as a cultural bridge fostering international dialogue.
Cultural leaders emphasized the exhibition's significance as a vehicle for cross-cultural understanding. José Luis Perea González, Technical Secretary of Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, INAH), praised the photographer's work, stating: "Through Philippe Paquet's talent, we enter the heart of Mongolia. His lens doesn't just capture images; it accompanies stories."
Alejandra Gómez Colorado, Director of the MNCM, highlighted the historic nature of this cultural milestone: "Never before have we presented an exhibition on Mongolia. Philippe Paquet's images are truly sublime and open a journey of discovery to this vast country of Asia." Her remarks emphasized the museum's commitment to expanding its cultural horizons and bringing new perspectives to Mexican audiences.
Enrique Arturo Gutiérrez López Portillo, Honorary Consul of Mongolia in Mexico, celebrated the exhibition's comprehensive scope: "Paquet takes us from the Gobi to the Altai, capturing the essence of Mongolian life and celebrating the unity of two cultures." His words reflected the deep cultural connections the exhibition aims to foster between Mexico and Mongolia.
In a special ceremony, Gankhuyag Natsag presented Paquet with the Cultural Envoy of Mongolia award, praising the photographer's work as "images that reveal not only landscapes and traditions, but also the heart and soul" of Mongolia. This recognition highlights the profound impact of Paquet's artistic vision in bridging cultural divides.
The exhibition is organized by INAH in collaboration with the Embassy of Mongolia to the United States and operates under the patronage of the Honorary Consul of Mongolia in Mexico. Located at Moneda 13 in Mexico City's Historic Center, the exhibition will run through January 31, 2026, providing visitors with an extended opportunity to explore Mongolia's rich cultural heritage through Paquet's compelling photographic narrative.
