In the framework of the commemoration of the 175th anniversary of the Founders' Cemetery, the Municipality of Concordia, following an initiative by the Undersecretariat of Education and Culture, carried out the enhancement ceremony of this emblematic heritage space and officially inaugurated the “De los Fundadores” Open-Air Museum, a proposal aimed at preserving, disseminating, and bringing the history of the men and women who were part of the city's origins closer to the community.
During the ceremony, the historical value of the site was highlighted, considered one of the most significant spaces of the collective memory of Concordia. Figures linked to the political, social, economic, and cultural development of Concordia and the region rest there, making the place a true reservoir of identity and heritage.
The enhancement included recovery, maintenance, cleaning, signage, and historical survey tasks, carried out through the joint work of different municipal areas and institutions, including the Undersecretariat of Education and Culture, the Undersecretariat of Road Works Maintenance, the Directorate of Municipal Cemeteries, the Directorate of Workshops and Warehouses, the Directorate of Parks and Gardens, the Directorate of Electrotechnics, the Road Signage and Demarcation Area, Penal Unit No. 3, and the Heritage Advisory Council.
Likewise, by Decree of the Municipal Executive Department, the “De los Fundadores” Open-Air Museum was established, which will operate within the historical site with the objective of promoting educational, cultural, historical, and tourist activities aimed at residents, students, and visitors.
The ceremony also featured the participation of the Centenary Choir of the Colegio San José Adoratrices, which provided an artistic presentation specially prepared for the occasion, accompanying with its music an event charged with significance for local history.
“OPEN-AIR HISTORICAL ARCHIVE”
Mayor Francisco Azcué stressed that the Founders' Cemetery “is not just a space where those who preceded us rest. It is, as it has often been defined, a true open-air historical archive. Here, in its monuments, in its names, and in its stories, the roots of our community are written”.
More than 175 years ago “the construction of this place began, driven by the vision of those who were building a city with a vocation for the future. Since then, this site has been a silent witness to the growth of Concordia and guards the memory of entire generations that contributed to forging our identity”.
Therefore, the enhancement we are inaugurating today “has a meaning that goes far beyond the physical recovery of a heritage space. It is a decision to recognize our history, to take care of our memory, and to transmit it to those who will come after us. We also inaugurate today the “De los Fundadores” Open-Air Museum, a space that will allow this heritage to cease being just a place to remember and become also a place to learn, know, and reflect on who we are as a community”.
Finally, Azcué maintained that “I do not want to fail to mention that there is a very important lesson in this place: cities that lose their memory end up losing part of their identity as well. On the other hand, cities that know and value their history find in it the inspiration to build their future. Concordia knew how to be a thriving city, a city of work, production, progress, and opportunities. And if we want to return to being that dynamic city and protagonist of regional development, we must begin by recognizing the legacy of those who preceded us. Because no one builds a great future if they are unaware of the foundations upon which their community was built”.
“Today we pay tribute to our founders, but we also renew a commitment to the generations to come. The commitment to take care of our heritage, strengthen our identity, and continue working so that Concordia returns to occupy the place it deserves,” concluded the mayor.
ORIGINS OF CONCORDIA
The Secretary of Human Development, Carlos Gatto, stated that “when we began the administration, we set out to recover all these spaces that have to do with the history of our city, and this is a key place in Concordia because our origins are here. The objective was to recover the heritage but also for it to be visited and for everyone to know it”.
Gonzalo Noir, general coordinator of the Heritage Protection Advisory Council of Concordia, remarked: “we celebrate this event together with culture and heritage. The truth is that these spaces are good for revaluing the heritage of Concordia and telling a little piece of history”.
Emilio Ferrari, Secretary of Minutes of the Advisory Council, highlighted that this was achieved thanks to the fact that a number of actions and actors joined in, which is the most important thing. We should rescue that, beyond a cemetery, it is an example that Concordia has an enormous heritage that we must gradually rescue. We are very happy with what has been achieved”.
VISITS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY
As of its inauguration, the “De los Fundadores” Open-Air Museum will offer guided tours open to the community on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and on Fridays from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, “Nights at the Founders' Cemetery” will take place, a proposal for a night theatrical tour that will allow visitors to live a different experience, where the stories of the past come to life through characters and tales inspired by the memory of the place.
On the other hand, educational visits aimed at primary and secondary schools will be held from Monday to Friday by prior appointment. Interested institutions may request reservations by contacting Prof. Franco Alcoba at 345 411 2326.
With this initiative, the Municipality of Concordia reaffirms its commitment to the preservation of local historical heritage, promoting knowledge of history, the strengthening of the identity of Concordia, and the development of cultural and tourist proposals that allow valuing the legacy of those who contributed to building the city.
During the ceremony, the historical value of the site was highlighted, considered one of the most significant spaces of the collective memory of Concordia. Figures linked to the political, social, economic, and cultural development of Concordia and the region rest there, making the place a true reservoir of identity and heritage.
The enhancement included recovery, maintenance, cleaning, signage, and historical survey tasks, carried out through the joint work of different municipal areas and institutions, including the Undersecretariat of Education and Culture, the Undersecretariat of Road Works Maintenance, the Directorate of Municipal Cemeteries, the Directorate of Workshops and Warehouses, the Directorate of Parks and Gardens, the Directorate of Electrotechnics, the Road Signage and Demarcation Area, Penal Unit No. 3, and the Heritage Advisory Council.
Likewise, by Decree of the Municipal Executive Department, the “De los Fundadores” Open-Air Museum was established, which will operate within the historical site with the objective of promoting educational, cultural, historical, and tourist activities aimed at residents, students, and visitors.
The ceremony also featured the participation of the Centenary Choir of the Colegio San José Adoratrices, which provided an artistic presentation specially prepared for the occasion, accompanying with its music an event charged with significance for local history.
“OPEN-AIR HISTORICAL ARCHIVE”
Mayor Francisco Azcué stressed that the Founders' Cemetery “is not just a space where those who preceded us rest. It is, as it has often been defined, a true open-air historical archive. Here, in its monuments, in its names, and in its stories, the roots of our community are written”.
More than 175 years ago “the construction of this place began, driven by the vision of those who were building a city with a vocation for the future. Since then, this site has been a silent witness to the growth of Concordia and guards the memory of entire generations that contributed to forging our identity”.
Therefore, the enhancement we are inaugurating today “has a meaning that goes far beyond the physical recovery of a heritage space. It is a decision to recognize our history, to take care of our memory, and to transmit it to those who will come after us. We also inaugurate today the “De los Fundadores” Open-Air Museum, a space that will allow this heritage to cease being just a place to remember and become also a place to learn, know, and reflect on who we are as a community”.
Finally, Azcué maintained that “I do not want to fail to mention that there is a very important lesson in this place: cities that lose their memory end up losing part of their identity as well. On the other hand, cities that know and value their history find in it the inspiration to build their future. Concordia knew how to be a thriving city, a city of work, production, progress, and opportunities. And if we want to return to being that dynamic city and protagonist of regional development, we must begin by recognizing the legacy of those who preceded us. Because no one builds a great future if they are unaware of the foundations upon which their community was built”.
“Today we pay tribute to our founders, but we also renew a commitment to the generations to come. The commitment to take care of our heritage, strengthen our identity, and continue working so that Concordia returns to occupy the place it deserves,” concluded the mayor.
ORIGINS OF CONCORDIA
The Secretary of Human Development, Carlos Gatto, stated that “when we began the administration, we set out to recover all these spaces that have to do with the history of our city, and this is a key place in Concordia because our origins are here. The objective was to recover the heritage but also for it to be visited and for everyone to know it”.
Gonzalo Noir, general coordinator of the Heritage Protection Advisory Council of Concordia, remarked: “we celebrate this event together with culture and heritage. The truth is that these spaces are good for revaluing the heritage of Concordia and telling a little piece of history”.
Emilio Ferrari, Secretary of Minutes of the Advisory Council, highlighted that this was achieved thanks to the fact that a number of actions and actors joined in, which is the most important thing. We should rescue that, beyond a cemetery, it is an example that Concordia has an enormous heritage that we must gradually rescue. We are very happy with what has been achieved”.
VISITS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY
As of its inauguration, the “De los Fundadores” Open-Air Museum will offer guided tours open to the community on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and on Fridays from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, “Nights at the Founders' Cemetery” will take place, a proposal for a night theatrical tour that will allow visitors to live a different experience, where the stories of the past come to life through characters and tales inspired by the memory of the place.
On the other hand, educational visits aimed at primary and secondary schools will be held from Monday to Friday by prior appointment. Interested institutions may request reservations by contacting Prof. Franco Alcoba at 345 411 2326.
With this initiative, the Municipality of Concordia reaffirms its commitment to the preservation of local historical heritage, promoting knowledge of history, the strengthening of the identity of Concordia, and the development of cultural and tourist proposals that allow valuing the legacy of those who contributed to building the city.