France loans ancient Codex to Mexico for bicentennial diplomacy

The Bibliothèque nationale de France loaned the Codex Azcatitlan to the Musée d’anthropologie de Mexico for an exhibition running until the end of December.

The Mesoamerican document, created between the 16th and 17th centuries, details the history of the Mexica people, including their mythical origins and the founding of Tenochtitlan. The loan serves as a centerpiece for the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between France and Mexico.

The exhibition aims to strengthen ties between the two nations while addressing the difficult debate over the permanent return of the manuscript to Mexico. Armed police officers guard the entrance to the free exhibition to protect the high-value artifact. Baltazar Brito, the director of the Bibliothèque nationale d’anthropologie et d’histoire, acts as a guide for visitors by explaining the pictograms and details of the two vibrant pages on display.

The remaining pages of the manuscript are shown through reproductions on the gallery walls.