On April 22, DFG president Peter Strohschneider visited the International Research Training Group ‘Between Spaces’ at El Colegio de México. He was accompanied by a delegation of members of the DFG (German Research Foundation), including Jörg Schneider, head of the division for international affairs, Dietrich Halm, director of the DFG office responsible for Latin America in São Paulo, Cornelia Huelsz from the same office and Christina Siebe, DFG liaison scientist in Mexico.

The DFG delegation was received with a short presentation of the IRTG in Mexico: Carlos Alba briefly introduced the structure of the programme and its main achievements. This was followed by a more personal evaluation of the programme by Ricardo Pérez Montfort and the presentations of two students, who have already completed their doctorate: Marcela Suárez and Montserrat Algarabel. The presentations led to a lively discussion with the DFG members about concepts of space and in-between and interdisciplinary.

After lunch a small group of members of the IRTG accompanied the DFG delegation to downtown Mexico City to give Peter Strohschneider and his delegation an impression of some of Mexico’s most interesting places. After visiting an impressive Maya exhibition at the Palacio Nacional, the group walked through downtown streets to the Plaza Garibaldi to get to know Mariachi music and real Mexican tequila. The day ended with a dinner at the Hotel Majestic, which affords its visitors an extraordinary view of the Mexican Zócalo and the Cathedral.

The visit of the DFG president and his delegation proved an excellent opportunity for the IRTG to present its people and work and to exchange ideas and experiences in open and confidential surroundings.