The Paraguayan Secretariat of Culture is making progress in the development of the Program “Salvaguarda Urgenta of the Material Cultural Heritage of Paraguay,” whose objective is to protect and conserve buildings and places of great historical and cultural value that require immediate intervention.
Last week, meetings were held in the Government of Guairá, the Municipality of San Salvador, the Government of Eymbucú and in Isla Umbú, where the progress and next steps to follow were presented.
Natalia Antola, Director General of Cultural Heritage, led the presentations and stressed the importance of preserving sites such as the San Salvador Railway Station in Guairá, which has great potential for the community.
“We toured the station and all its workshops, constructions that have a lot of value. We met with the local authorities to work on the possibility of restoring this place”, she said. She also highlighted the work of the municipality of Eymbucú, where more than 40 heritage buildings are being illuminated.
“It’s wonderful to see how the people in the area value their cultural heritage and how this can boost culture, tourism and the local economy,” she added.
Alma Silguero, Executive Secretary of the Government of Guairá, stressed the importance of this project for the region:
“For the Government, this project is fundamental. It is not only about saving a historic building, but also of offering a space where people can connect with their culture and enjoy their cultural rights.”
On Umbú Island, the San Aanasio church, built in the mid-19th century, is in a view to being included among the goods to be preserved. Mayor Jorge Marecos expressed what it means to the inhabitants of Isla Umbriú:
“This church is part of our history. Here we have lived important moments such as baptisms and weddings. Restoring it is preserving part of our identity.”
The Program “Salvaguarda Urgent of the Material Cultural Heritage of Paraguay.” is focused on three main axes:
- Patrimonial Education and Citizen Participation : It is sought that both local inhabitants and visitors understand the importance of these cultural assets, through educational and participatory activities.
- Promotion and Dissemination of Cultural Heritage : The aim is to strengthen the sense of belonging and pride in cultural heritage, both locally and internationally.
- Conservation and Restoration of Goods: Work will be done on the recovery and maintenance of buildings and historical sites, applying specialized methods to ensure their preservation.
The types of material goods of cultural heritage value incorporated in this Program are: Cultural Heritage of Religious Interest, Public Buildings of Cultural Heritage and Sites, Miles and Historical Centers.
The work of preserving these spaces is key to ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from Paraguay’s history and culture. In addition, the restoration and conservation of these heritage property not only protects the cultural identity of the country, but can also promote local economic development, through the promotion of tourism and the generation of employment in the communities where these important sites are located.
