The 3rd International Meeting on the Preservation of the Documentary Heritage kicks off

The 3rd International Meeting on the Conservation of the Documentary Heritage commenced with the presence of participants and delegates from both national and foreign backgrounds.

The meeting will continue until September 22nd. The program for the meeting includes sharing ideas on the subject and promoting cooperation among specialists.

«It is not only a political issue, but also a human issue, an experiential issue, and an issue of history, pertaining to humanity’s journey to its present state,» expressed Omar Valiño Cedré, the director of the José Martí National Library (BNJM), during his welcome speech at the event. The event took place at the institution’s Armando Hart Theatre.

Valiño also mentioned the professional nature of the meeting, the willingness to work, the role of the organizers, the experience of dealing with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the immediate context. This context is characterized by attempts to erase and homogenize memories through hegemonistic approaches, as well as practical and logistical challenges in carrying out restoration work.

The inaugural speech was given by Odiel R. Ramírez Vila, a researcher and restorer at the BNJM, who spoke of the shortcomings in the training of the centre’s scarce human resources, compliance with the regulations governing this work, the training of professionals and other workers, the consideration of reference parameters and the work of the digital laboratory, which unfortunately has not yet been able to show its work to the public.

The expert also mentioned how much can be done in the absence of resources and gave examples of minimal interventions to save other bibliographic heritage. He also mentioned the lack of recognition for the work of restorers, the guidelines to do more with less in restoration and some practices to face environmental conditions.

«A conservator is the person who helps in the beginning of the conservation of the historical memory that is archived», he commented, pointing out the responsibility, sensitivity and respect for the conservation process of the professionals of the BNJM.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez