MEXICO CITY.- Mexico’s cultural landscape has lost a dedicated champion of history, anthropology, and heritage with the passing of writer and editor Jaime Bali Wuest on January 16, 2025, at the age of 85. Bali Wuest dedicated his life to sharing Mexico’s rich past with the world, leaving an indelible mark on the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the broader publishing world.


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While his initial studies focused on engineering at the National Polytechnic Institute and a professorship in agricultural education at the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACh), Bali Wuest’s true passion lay in the world of books and cultural dissemination. He became a driving force behind making Mexico's history and heritage accessible to a wide audience.

His impact on INAH was profound. In 1983, at the behest of then-Director General Enrique Florescano Mayet, Bali Wuest established the INAH Publications Directorate, which he then led. During this time, he oversaw the publication of landmark works like the Cultural Atlas of Mexico and the Graphic History of Mexico, bringing Mexico's diverse history and culture to life for countless readers.

But Bali Wuest’s contributions didn’t stop there. Under the leadership of Roberto García Moll, he founded and directed the National Coordination of Dissemination. This initiative saw the birth of Radio INAH in 1990, bringing the institute's work to a vast network of 700 radio stations across the country. He also spearheaded the creation of the International Book Fair of Anthropology and History in 1989, a major event that continues to this day.

Beyond his institutional work, Bali Wuest was a prolific figure in the world of periodicals. He founded and served as editorial director for several prominent magazines, including Arqueología Mexicana, Relatos e Historias en México, México en el tiempo, Tips de Aeroméxico, and Pasajes de la Historia. He also contributed significantly to México Desconocido, where he served as vice president of Planning. He also had a hand in publications like Herbolaría Mexicana and Jardinería Mexicana, and even served as Distribution Director at Ediciones de Cultura Popular. At his alma mater, UACh, he founded and led the Directorate of Cultural Dissemination, showing his commitment to sharing knowledge across various institutions.

Bali Wuest was not only an editor but also an author. He co-authored México Arqueológico with García Moll and wrote Entre siglos. Infancias. His dedication to making history accessible extended to the world of exhibitions. In 2016, he curated Memoria de México. Bibliographic Contributions of the National Institute of Anthropology and History at the National Museum of World Cultures, showcasing 88 volumes that represented the work of hundreds of researchers spanning from 1857 to the present.

Jaime Bali Wuest's dedication to preserving and sharing Mexico's cultural heritage has left a lasting legacy. He will be remembered as a true champion of history and a passionate advocate for making knowledge accessible to all.


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