Uruguay's Día del Patrimonio: What We Celebrated This Past Weekend

Last weekend, the 27th edition of the Uruguayan Heritage Day (“Día del Patrimonio”) was celebrated in our country. “Ideas change the world” was the theme of this year. People paid homage to José Enrique de Rodó, a well-known Uruguayan writer, journalist, political leader, and essayist, 150 years after his birthdate.

It is essential to know, what influence did José Enrique Rodó have in our country? He was an important figure from the “Generación del 900” that gained international recognition with his publication of “Ariel” (1900), was part of the founders of “Revista Nacional de Literatura y Ciencias Sociales” (1895-1897), published various literary manifestations and essays, and worked in literature, philosophy, politics, critique, and art. His original ideas indeed changed the world and are still studied in universities and forums in Latin America and Europe.

The inauguration act was in the National Museum of Visual Arts at 11 am on Saturday, 2nd of October, which had an art exhibition that complemented the theme. The Minister of Education and Culture was along with his sub secretary, and the president and general director of the Commission of Cultural Heritage of the Nation were present, as well as the museum’s director.

Activities’ location and information were detailed in the Uruguayan Heritage webpage and in the app and web of the Ministry of Education and Culture, where there was a map indicating the places that could be visited. The activities included a Festival in “Mercado Modelo” on both days where there were live music spectacles, a gastronomic fair, and other forms of entertainment for the public; this was arranged by the Intendance of the Montevideo, Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo (Fadu) and the Universidad de la República. Moreover, in the Liceo N.° 1 “José Enrique Rodó” located in Barrio Sur, students made a short film about the place where Rodó was born, lived and wrote, shown on Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm. On Saturday, from 9:30 am to 16 pm, the Uruguayan Institute of Numismatics organized an exhibition of numismatic material, mostly coins, bills, and commemorative medals of José Enrique Rodó. The guide made by the Ministry shows tons of activities carried out on both days and in various departments, museums opened their doors to visitors, places showcased information about honourable José Enrique Rodó, and other touristic centres that enable people to nurture themselves with Uruguayan culture welcomed the crowd.

The closure of the event was at 5 pm on Sunday, 3rd of October, in the House of Culture and Museum José Enrique Rodó in the department of Canelones, where Rodó lived until his 9 years of age. The Heritage Day was organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Commission of Cultural Heritage of the Nation, and several private and public institutions organized and participated too.

Bibliography

2 y 3 de octubre: Día del Patrimonio. (2021, September 28). Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-educacion-cultura/comunicacion/noticias/2-3-octubre-dia-del-patrimonio

Las Ideas Cambian el Mundo. (2021, June 17). Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-educacion-cultura/patrimonio-uruguay/ideas-cambian-mundo