As the season changes, MEL continues to be a space where stories are shared, ideas are exchanged, and meaningful connections are made.

Whether you come for a book, a class, or a conversation, you are always welcome here.

Library Closures – Please Plan Ahead

Please note that the library will be closed on Friday, April 3rd in observance of Good Friday.

We will also be closed on May 1st for Mexican Labor Day (official holiday).

We kindly ask you to keep these dates in mind and plan your renewals, returns, and check-outs in advance. Thank you for your understanding and continued support .

Yucatecan Art History with Raúl Gasque – Continuing in April

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the rich artistic and cultural legacy of Yucatán. Raúl Gasque’s Yucatecan Art History course continues this April with three fascinating sessions:

April 6 – The Neo Maya Art Movement: Architecture and Visual Arts in Post-Revolutionary Mexico
Explore how artists and architects reimagined indigenous heritage through modernist frameworks, blending ancestral symbolism with contemporary aesthetics, and redefining national and regional identity.

April 13 – The Writers Who Shaped Modern Yucatán: From Antonio Mediz Bolio to Roldán Peniche Barrera. Discover the literary voices that shaped modern Yucatán, and how their work contributed to cultural preservation, reinterpretation, and identity construction.

April 20 – From Expressive Figurativism to Edgy Abstraction: Modernism and Contemporary Art in Yucatán. Trace the evolution of Yucatecan art, from emotive figurative narratives to bold contemporary abstraction, featuring artists such as Fernando Castro Pacheco and Gerda Gruber.

 Each session concludes with a hands-on creative workshop using soft pastels and guided exercises, allowing participants to translate key concepts into their own artistic expression.

Classes run from 9:30 to 12:30 pm.  Register here 

Although our MEL Talks series has come to an end for the season, we’re excited to continue offering morning talks at MEL—informative and engaging sessions designed to support and connect our community. Join us this April:

 Wednesday, April 1 at 11:00 AM
Mobility in Mérida with Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado

Join longtime resident Joanna as she shares insights for members of the international community—and their companions or spouses—living with mobility challenges in Mérida.

From uneven sidewalks and slippery surfaces to parking difficulties and the heat, daily life can present unique obstacles. This talk will explore practical resources, shared experiences, and ways to stay active, connected, and independent.

Thursday, April 9 at 11:00 AM
Natural Balance: An Introduction to Ayurveda with Rosanna Mora Garrish

Discover the foundations of Ayurveda, an ancient system of wellness that promotes balance between body, mind, and spirit.

Rosanna Mora Garrish, a Wellness Coaching student at the Colegio Nacional de Ayurveda México, will introduce key principles and practical insights to help you incorporate holistic balance into your daily life.

MEL TALKS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Our Conversaciones con Amigos sessions will continue as usual every Monday. Please note that there will be no session on April 27th due to scheduling conflicts.

We look forward to seeing you in the upcoming gatherings!

Tai Chi continues this April on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am, beginning on Tuesday, April 7th.

Take advantage of our preferred monthly rate of $600 MXN for 8 sessions, or join us on a drop-in basis for $100 MXN per session. All levels are welcome

Join us for acrylic painting classes with Julie Marie Hoey. 

 Julie Marie offers a six-week session with 90-minute classes starting at 11:00 AM. Participants may register for the full six weeks or choose a four-class option based on their experience level.

• Beginners & Intermediate students: Recommended to attend the first four weeks
• Advanced students: May join starting April 14th and attend the last four weeks

Pricing:

• Six-week session: $2,400 MXN
• Four-week session: $1,600 MXN

 Register online in the MEL Shop

What to Expect
Classes begin with foundational exercises in:

• Color theory (mixing, blending, complementary colors, values)
• Form and perspective (understanding shapes and spatial depth)
• Lighting and tone (soft vs. bright light, reflections)

Participants will then move on to creating their own painting.

Julie Marie will provide canvas paper for practice, but students are asked to bring their own materials and brushes.

Suggested Materials
Available at Arqline (multiple locations in Mérida):

• Canvas (16” x 20”)
• Palette paper
• Acrylic paints: Titanium White (or Zinc White), Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue, Viridian Green, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber
• Rags
• Water jar
• Brushes: Medium Filbert, Medium Flat, Small Round & Medium Round

If exact paint colors are not available, staff can help suggest close alternatives.

Ready to write? The Poetry Writing Workshop with Olya is back!

This fun and informal workshop uses imaginative prompts and collaborative discovery to help spark your creative voice. Just bring your pen, paper, and love of words. All participants will receive feedback from the instructor at the end of each session.

This free six-week course, open to all levels, begins on Wednesday, April 1st, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, and will take place on the second-floor terrace at MEL.

 To register or for more information, please contact Olya at awaretherapy@gmail.com

About the Instructor
Olya (O.M. Kenney) is a psychotherapist, artist, and published poet. She has studied with Nobel Prize winners Derek Walcott and Seamus Heaney, as well as Pulitzer Prize winners Robert Pinsky and Philip Levine. She has taught creative writing at Boston University and Harvard, and her work has been featured in The Journal of Interreligious Insight, Plume Poetry, and Red Ogre Review.

The Mérida Writers Group will meet on Wednesday, April 8th and 22nd at 11:00 AM in the air-conditioned classroom at MEL.

Writers of all levels are welcome to join and share their work in a supportive and creative environment.

At the Mérida English Library, we invite schools to experience our School Visits Program, designed for students of all ages to explore the only English-language library in Yucatán while learning how a library works in a fun and interactive way.

During their visit, students will:

• Discover our facilities and resources
• Learn how to search for and borrow books
• Practice English in a real-life environment

 Interested in bringing your group?
We kindly ask teachers to visit our website, review the calendar, and submit a request form. Our team will follow up to confirm your visit.

Important details:

• A school supervisor must be present at all times
• Maximum group size: 25 students
• Visits take place in the morning during library hours

Let your students discover the joy of reading, learning, and community at MEL!

Our StoryTime Committee is constantly working to create engaging and meaningful experiences for children and families. Each session features different books and activities centered around themes such as well-being, health, history, nature, and science.

Every visit is a new adventure! Please note that there will be no StoryTime sessions during the first weeks of April due to the Easter holiday break.

Children’s Day Special – April 18

Join us as we celebrate Children’s Day with a very special StoryTime event!

Enjoy:

• Unique and engaging stories
• A fun magic show
• Surprises for all attendees

Magic show recovery fee: $50 MXN per person

Bring your family and celebrate with us—it’s an event you won’t want to miss!

Join us this April for a new session of Fiction & Friends, our relaxed and welcoming book club for anyone who enjoys literary fiction and good conversation.

Thursday, April 30 at 10:00 AM
Book of the Month: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

Fiction & Friends is designed as an informal gathering of friends with shared interests, where books are just the beginning. There will be plenty of time to chat, connect, and exchange ideas in a friendly and open atmosphere.

 There is no cost to participate, and everyone is welcome.

After all, having fun is the purpose—books are simply the vehicle.

Stay active and energized this April with our Pilates sessions with Richie at MEL.

 Fridays: April 10, 17 & 24                           Cost per class: $200 MXN

These sessions are a great way to strengthen your body, improve flexibility, and support overall well-being in a welcoming community space.

Please note: The library will be closed on Friday, April 3 in observance of Good Friday.

Be part of the MEL Chess Club, specially designed for teenagers who want to learn, practice, and enjoy the game of chess in a fun and supportive environment.

 $30 MXN per session
(All funds raised go toward purchasing chess clocks and additional game sets.)

Our goal is to host a chess tournament in the near future, so this is the perfect time to get involved and sharpen your skills!

A special thank you to our wonderful instructors, Tammy and Ron, for volunteering their time and leading this group.

 MEL Bingo Nights!

Grab your calendar and get ready for some of the most fun nights at MEL!

Upcoming dates:
  April 18
  May 23
  June 20 – Special Drag Bingo Night!

Join us on the patio for an evening full of laughter, community, and a little friendly competition.

 How We Play Bingo

• Buy your bingo booklet (5 cards) for only $150 MXN
• Each card has a color—we play a different color each round
• You can purchase multiple booklets to play more cards

Once card sales close, we’ll announce the total prize pool and get started!

• Numbers are drawn from the bingo cage—listen carefully and mark your card
• Each round has a different winning pattern:
• 5 in a row, 4 corners, X, H, or full card
• When you win, don’t forget to shout BINGO!

 Prizes:

• The winner takes 50% of the total collected per round
• The remaining 50% supports MEL
• If there’s more than one winner, the prize is split

 Enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious snacks available from our cash bar throughout the evening so come for the game, stay for the community—it’s always a great night at MEL!

Join us for the Climate Solutions Study Group, a collaborative space to learn, reflect, and take action on environmental issues that matter—both globally and locally in Yucatán.

The group’s intention is to learn together by:

• Reading thoughtful books and materials
• Viewing climate-related documentaries and films
• Inviting local leaders to share their perspectives on climate issues
• Exploring the possibility of field trips

 This is a free, English-language group, open to everyone, and designed as a shared leadership space where all voices are welcome.

Jump in the ongoing Spanish classes at the Mérida English Library during April. Teacher Alfonso will welcome you at the level of your choice starting at 4pm.

Register online for a single session, a month or two. Classes on Wednesdays and Fridays, materials included.

Special dates:

 No class on April, Friday 3rd.

April, Friday 24 - Quiz Day

April, Wednesday 29 - Social Gathering.

Contact the instructor via email asesoriasdeidiomasmerida@gmail.com

📚 Carry thanks & new book list

If you or a guest will be coming to Merida from the U.S. and can help by bringing books, contact Marianne Kehoe with your mailing address, travel dates, and how many books you can carry. She’ll do the rest.  Please conntact her at : kehoedds@gmail.com

Christine Angeles - Edward Hunkiarbeyendian - Jimena Rosado & Casa Tho - Alvah Hanrahan - Nigel Cundale -Diane Donovan - Emma Sloley - Todd Squitieri - Robert Schneider - Evonne Von Boeck - Margarita Villanueva - Ruby Rosa - Jackie Sandlom - Star Siler -  Nancy Conroy - Stephan Rajoth - Janelle Masden

Download it now!

contact her at anacrisalaluf@yahoo.com