By Delia Ruelas

Expatriate residents of Rosarito are the first to support visual arts events due to their strong ties to the culture of art and collecting, according to artist Rocio Hoffman.

She expreessed this sentiment during the most important art festival in Northwestern Mexico, Artwalk, held at the State Center for the Arts (CEART) Rosarito unit.

The environmental activist and painter recalled that the event began during the municipality’s years of greatest economic uncertainty in 2008.

“The foreign residents in this area are the first to support us; they have a stronger culture of art and collecting,” Hoffman said.

Organizers highlighted the notable support provided by expatriate residents, visitors, and sponsors of the Artwalk Rosarito event.

While the event aims to attract a wide audience in each edition, this time it focused on promoting reading. Nonetheless, Hoffman emphasized that cultural tourism in Rosarito generates the most significant economic impact in this sector.

“They encourage other foreigners to come to the festival and somewhat mitigate the negative reports the American government issues to discourage tourism from there to here.” Hoffman noted that many expatriates point out that they feel safer and more peaceful, and achieve a higher quality of life than they could in their home countries.