¡Viva México! 🎉
This September, as we celebrate Mexico’s Independence Month, the Mérida English Library joins in honoring the vibrant culture, rich history, and warm spirit that make Mexico so unique.
Our library is proud to be part of a community where cultures come together, where knowledge meets celebration, and where everyone — locals, expats, and visitors — can find a space to connect, learn, and grow. This month, we invite you to join us in celebrating the stories, flavors, and rhythms of Mexico through our special events, book selections, and cultural activities.
Whether you’re here to explore, read, or simply share a moment with friends, MEL is your home away from home. Together, let’s celebrate the past, embrace the present, and build a future filled with knowledge and community.
¡Viva México y viva la lectura! 📚
The new season of MEL Wine Tasting is approaching quickly, and the committee has been hard at work over this hot summer, developing ideas that will make this new season bigger and better than ever. We know that this is a much-loved event, and we plan to offer more tickets each month so more people can participate. You will enjoy both familiar and new tapas selections accompanied by our sommeliers’ stellar selections each month, the introduction of live music at some or all of our events and surprising and unexpected new venues. We look forward to hosting you in this exciting, upcoming season, and thank you all for your continuing support of MEL!
We will have six wine tastings again this season, on the third Thursday of each month October through March. As usual, MEL members have the option to buy full-season tickets for all six tastings, and these will go on sale online in the MEL Shop at 9:00 AM on September 18. The price for these six-tasting tickets is $4,200 each, and they come with the peace of mind that you will not be closed out of any events.
The October Wine Tasting will be held in a grand, fan-favorite home in La Ermita on October 16. MEL Members can buy tickets for this tasting online beginning at 9:00 AM on Thursday October 2. The cost for members is $700 each, and restrictions apply. Please visit our website for more information.
Tickets for the October tasting go on sale without restriction to members and non-members alike at 9:00 AM on Monday October 6. Tickets for non-members are sold at $800 each.
If you are a MEL member, this is the perfect opportunity to bring your membership up-to-date to make sure you are able to take advantage of these valuable members-only benefits. You can renew your membership at MEL, or online in the MEL Shop. Send an email to programs@meridaenglishlibrary.com if you need to check the status of your membership. Don't miss out!
MEL’s Wine Tasting team is expanding our volunteers to include 1) a skilled computer (basic Google Sheets and Gmail) person to coordinate our season's communiques between our guests and administrative staff members; and 2) several new team members for serving both wine and tapas at our six wine tasting events of the 25/26 season, the third Thursday of each month commencing in October and terminating in March.
Special Screening: Until The Last Beat
An inspiring documentary about heritage, resilience, and the ancient Maya ballgame
- Date: Saturday, September 6th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm @ The Mérida English Library
- Language: Spanish & Maya (English subtitles)
- Free Admission - If you feel inspired by their story, you can support the team with a voluntary donation during the event.
About the Documentary
In San Pedro Chimay, a small Maya community in southeast Mexico, a team of passionate athletes fights to represent Mexico in the Pok Ta Pok World Cup—one of the world’s oldest team sports.
With no government support, the players, families, and neighbors unite to fund their journey to Belize. But this is more than a competition: their determination has sparked a cultural revival, celebrating Maya heritage and inspiring future generations.
🔗 Watch the trailer: Until The Last Beat
About the Team: Los Grandes de San Pedro Chimay
Led by coach Andrés Chi Cob and player Angel, this Maya team has made history. In 2023, they brought the Pok Ta Pok World Cup to Mexico for the first time and are now training for the next tournament in Honduras.
The community also supports a female team, passing on the tradition and empowering new generations.
Special Q&A Session 💬
After the screening, stay for an exclusive conversation with the filmmakers and the athletes. Discover what it means to preserve Maya traditions while competing at the highest level.
Itza Bocken Méndez (Belgian-Mexican) and Daniel Patrick Holmes (UK), founders of Omma Films, are award-winning documentary creators focused on authentic human stories. From global productions for Al Jazeera Witness to intimate portraits of Yucatán, their work reflects deep respect for culture and community.
This Mexican Independence Month, our Tai Chi classes at MEL with Mónica González will take a short break. Classes will resume on October 7th and continue on their regular schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
The single class is $100 MXN per class, or you can purchase a monthly pass for $600 MXN, which includes eight classes.
Register here: https://meridaenglishlibrary.com/register/p/tai-chi-lessons
Our Pilates classes with Richie Poe continue every Friday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in MEL’s air-conditioned classroom. (The perfect way to stay cool while working on strength, flexibility, and balance.)
The single class fee is $200 MXN per session, or you can purchase a monthly pass for $700 MXN, which includes 4 classes.
Register here: https://meridaenglishlibrary.com/register/p/pilates-class-with-richie-poe
September marks not only Mexico’s Independence Month, but also back-to-school season! At MEL, we’re excited to welcome you back to Conversaciones con Amigos, starting September 1st and then every Monday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
This program is designed for participants 18 and older and offers a friendly, safe, and relaxed space to practice English or Spanish. Please note that these are not classes, but rather informal conversation groups where you can connect with others and improve your language skills naturally.
Learn more and review our guidelines here:
https://meridaenglishlibrary.com/events/recurring/conversaciones-con-amigos
New school year, new adventures, new books, and countless stories! After a long summer break, Storytime at MEL returns to inspire our youngest members and visitors, introducing them to the magical world of reading
📅 Storytime sessions:
Saturday, September 13 & 27 | Starting at 10:00 am
And that’s not all… Party Time! 🥳
The Summer Reading Challenge wraps up on Saturday, September 27th with an exciting celebration on MEL’s patio! We’ve planned a fun-filled day with games and a special surprise plus complimentary soft drinks from MEL. Bring your favorite snacks to share and enjoy a wonderful morning of stories, laughter, and community.
Don’t forget to submit your Challenge Cards! And remember, MEL has a vast Children’s and Young Adult section available for home borrowing with your membership — the perfect way to keep our beloved young readers excited and engaged!
Teachers and school coordinators - want to give your students a bilingual and cultural experience? At MEL, we design customized visits based on age and English proficiency levels.
We’re now booking September and October visits, and we’d love to host your students!
Learn more and book here:
https://meridaenglishlibrary.com/melblog/school-visits-at-mel
In September, we commemorate the Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence!
The streets and homes everywhere are filled with vibrant colors, music, and celebration and we’re joining the festive spirit at the Mérida English Library!
Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and join us for an unforgettable MEL Bingo Night full of flavors, music, and fun!
When? Saturday, September 27 at 7:00 PM
We’ll play 5 exciting rounds of bingo with short breaks to enjoy refreshing festive drinks from our cash bar. Bring your friends and join the fun!
Special Feature: Delicious Pozole Rojo
A true Mexican celebration wouldn’t be complete without pozole, one of Mexico’s most iconic traditional dishes! This dish will be served during the evening — a comforting stew made with pork or chicken, hominy corn, and a flavorful broth. Don’t worry, it’s full of spices but not too spicy.
You can customize your bowl with your favorite garnishes:
- Radish slices
- Shredded lettuce
- Avocado
- Onion
- Powder chilies
Preorder your pozole portion and discover the flavor of this ancestral recipe!
Live Mariachi Music!
Get ready to dance, sing, and celebrate! Our evening will be filled with the sounds of live mariachi, bringing the Mexican fiesta to life.
🙏 Our Sincere Apologies
We would also like to apologize for the short notice and the cancellation of our Bingo Night on Saturday, August 30. Unfortunately, due to unexpected weather conditions, our host was unable to attend.
We deeply appreciate your understanding and look forward to making this upcoming celebration even more special.
Ready to write? Poetry Writing Workshop with Olya is back this September 2025! This fun and informal workshop of imaginative prompts and collaborative discovery will help spark your creative genius. Just bring your pen, paper, and love of words! All collections will receive feedback from the instructor at the end of the workshop.
This six-week course is free and open to all levels and begins on Wednesday September 17th at 9:30 AM. Join your classmates on the second floor terrace at MEL.
Read more and register at https://meridaenglishlibrary.com/melblog/poetry-workshop-2025.
Do you love writing, sharing stories, and connecting with fellow creatives? Join our Writer’s Group, where members meet twice a month to exchange ideas, share drafts, and get inspired.
Upcoming Meetings: September 10th and 24th at 11:00 am
Get ready for an evening full of stories, and creativity! Our Open Mic Night is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talent with the community. Date: Monday, September 23 at 6:15 pm
Join us to discuss and share insights about this powerful novel, where a family’s road trip intertwines with the realities of migration and identity at the U.S.–Mexico border.
Wednesday, September 25 | 🕙 10:00 am
The Climate Solutions Group is back this September with a new schedule! Join us every third Saturday of the month to discuss environmental topics, share ideas, and connect with others passionate about sustainability.
Saturday, September 20 | 🕚 11:30 am
Let’s learn, share, and act together for a better planet!
Every Peso Counts! Support CRIT Yucatán and Make a Difference
The Mérida English Library is proud to join CRIT Yucatán (Child Rehabilitation and Inclusion Center) in their annual fundraising campaign, an event that has become a meaningful tradition across Mexico. Every year, families, businesses, and entire communities come together to support children living with disabilities, cancer, and autism — helping them receive the care they need to live fuller, happier lives.
Fundación Teletón, the organization behind CRIT, is a non-profit committed to providing comprehensive medical care, therapies, and emotional support to thousands of families nationwide. With 24 centers across Mexico, they promote children’s development to the fullest and work tirelessly to ensure their inclusion in society. Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to visit the facilities here in Mérida, and it was an inspiring experience that reminded us just how impactful these contributions can be.
This year’s campaign features several initiatives to make participation fun and meaningful for everyone. One of the most recognizable efforts is the “Boteo Teletón”, where bright yellow and purple piggy banks are placed throughout the city, including one right here at MEL. Every coin counts, and your donation helps children like Jorge Munguía and María Fernanda, whose treatments have been supported thanks to the generosity of our community.
On your next visit to MEL, we invite you to contribute to this important cause by leaving your donation in our Teletón piggy bank. Remember, peso by peso, we can make a difference together, we have the power to change lives.
September is the month to learn a new language!
At Asesorías de Idiomas Mérida, we are ready to help you reach your speaking goals with our classes designed for all levels. To improve your level or to start speaking, we got you covered!
Spanish Classes at the @meridaenglishlibrary- Wednesdays and Fridays
- 4:00 pm – Spanish for Beginners A1
- 5:00 pm – Basic Intermediate Spanish A2
- 6:00 pm – Español Intermedio B1 (¡Habla español con fluidez!)
Teacher Alfonso López is ready to start classes.
Contact - +52 999 968 6984 or by email at asesoriasdeidiomasmerida@gmail.com
📦 Book Carriers Needed : Help Us Bring the Magic of Books to MEL
MEL is deeply grateful to those who offer a bit of space in their luggage to bring books from the U.S. As you may know, English-language materials can be harder to find or more expensive in Mexico.
Thanks to your generous support, we’re able to keep our collection fresh, exciting, and budget-friendly for the entire community.
If you’d like to help us continue conjuring literary treasures for the library, please reach out to Marianne Kehoe at kehoedds@gmail.com. Your suitcase could be carrying someone’s next favorite book! 🧳
Liz Walser - Nigel Cundale - Dulce María Reures - River Yachon - Olive Gessler - Daniela Camacho - Salvador - Erika Echeverria - Cristina Lasch - George McClellan - Cathy Webster - Mark Ashton - Anna Irene Burle - Misty Garder - Janelle Masden - Daniel Springer - Heather Morgan - Jack Brady- Susan Lamax - Nannette Colbert - Charlotte Riewe - Rita
LINK: https://yuc.today/mel
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