In the framework of the XXX Anniversary of the inclusion of the Historic Center of Zacatecas in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Regional World Heritage Institute in Zacatecas, a Category 2 Center under the auspices of UNESCO, the Zacatecan Institute of Culture "Ramón López Velarde" and the National Institute of Anthropology and History launched the Conference Series "Empiricisms and Perspectives, Zacatecas and the World Heritage Cities of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean", whose purpose is for Zacatecas to become a permanent space for the exchange of experiences regarding the protection, conservation and management of the 17 historic cities of the subregion included in this heritage category.

 

 

The event took place on November 14th in the Central Patio of the Zacatecan Museum at 11:00 a.m. The event was welcomed by Carlos Augusto Torres Pérez, director of the IRPMZ (National Institute of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources), and Carlos Alberto Torreblanca Padilla, director of the INAH Zacatecas Center. Among those in attendance were Diana Monserrat Carrillo García, director of the Zacatecas State School of Conservation and Restoration "Refugio Reyes," and Jesús Arturo Villa Fernández, head of the Bachelor of Architecture program at the Autonomous University of Zacatecas. Also in attendance were students and various stakeholders involved in the management of the Historic Center of Zacatecas, from departments of the Municipality of Zacatecas, the Ministry of Public Works of the State Government, and the INAH (National Institute of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources).

 

The series was moderated by Raúl Eduardo Rodríguez Márquez and began with the keynote address "Colonial City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Interventions and Best Practices," given by Mauricia Domínguez Rodríguez, an architect specializing in the Planning and Projects Department of the National Directorate of Monumental Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic.

Mauricia Domínguez Rodríguez is a graduate of the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University, holds a master's degree in Caribbean tropical architecture, and is a doctoral candidate in Caribbean History from the Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra. She is a professor, author of several works, and president of the Dominican DoCoMoMo. She has collaborated on projects, conferences, and training sessions in Italy, Mexico, Martinique, Brazil, Argentina, and the United States, among others.

 

In his presentation, Domínguez Rodríguez shared with those present both the historical significance of the city of Santo Domingo and the intervention projects that have been carried out and are planned for the future to improve the urban image of this emblematic place. Participants identified shared conditions and problems between Zacatecas and Santo Domingo and expressed interest in institutional coordination procedures, resource management, and restoration techniques applied to the city.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Carlos Augusto Torres Pérez and Carlos Alberto Torreblanca Padilla thanked the Zacatecas Museum for hosting the event and the audience for their interest. They also presented an award to the speaker for her valuable participation, expressing their willingness to continue strengthening the ties of collaboration between our country and the Dominican Republic.

​​​​​​​