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Portobelo and San Lorenzo, World Heritage in Danger (SOC by the State party) and Management Plan

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Friends and Friends of Heritage Panama:

Thanks to Information System of the State of Conservation (SOC) enabled by the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO, of free access to all around the world, les traigo this update published this month of February 2014. This is a PDF file with the English summary of the report submitted by the State Conservation Panama, Portobelo and San Lorenzo on. It is thanks to the policies of public access to information from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), we can have secondary access to this national information about our world heritage sites.

This report was generated by the Panamanian authorities under their own responsibility and point of view, and is a separate and distinct report to Report Information System State of Conservation of the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS.

Here is the link: Dale click aquí, comes at the end of tabla, next to the boxes marked “2014 / SOC Report by State Party” & click, “Summary of the State of conservation report by the State Party / Summary Report of the State party on the state of conservation (29/01/2014)”. It is a four-page summary, one formato PDF, in English.

Portobelo. Fort Santiago de la Gloria (Photo of the Author)

Portobelo. Fort Santiago de la Gloria (Photo of the Author)

SUMMARY SUMMARY

In a “abstract” and Salón “Summary Conservation Status Report”, the list as a PDF file in the List of World Heritage, the following fortifications: 1 – The fortifications of San Fernando: Low battery, superior battery, and strong house on the hilltop, 2 – Battery Fuerte San Jerónimo; 3 – Fortifications of Santiago: Castle of Santiago de la Gloria, Casa Fuerte battery and on top of the hill;. 4 – Former Fort Santiago; 5 – Fort Ruins Farnese; 6 – Site of the Trench; 7 – The site of San Cristobal; and finally, Castle of San Lorenzo El Real de Chagre and superior battery as separate structure, ambos a 43 km away from Portobelo, at the mouth of the Chagres River.

The report says the Panamanian authorities as elements that have adversely affected the property (Portobelo and San Lorenzo):

  • Very bad weather, with a pattern of high temperatures and lots of rain, materials that eroded monuments.
  • Ground instability in the hillsides around Portobelo; Quote landslides that occurred in the year 2010.
  • Changes in the slope of the slopes caused by the construction of the access road to Portobelo in the early 1970, and accumulation of water caused by the change thus produced the natural drainage of the hills.
  • Increased level of sea water due to sedimentation, causing loss of beaches and affecting water coming monuments.
  • Urban sprawl in Portobelo, including illegal constructions on the ruins and its immediate perimeter.

    • Panamanian authorities noted that the strongest risks related to climate, suggesting that these factors exacerbate risks caused by man (anthropogenic), as urban sprawl, Water pollution, illegal construction and conservation management incipient.

    Titled, “Proposed mitigation measures”, the existence of an Emergency Plan mentioned, based on which an intervention strategy is set, where major mitigation measures are (translate verbatim the points 1 until 11):

    1) Strengthen the maintenance work carried out by the Board Portobelo and San Lorenzo, adapting its budget to the scale of the necessary intevenciones.

    2) Controlling urban pressure on the strengths of Portobelo, redefining buffer zones and land uses allowed (residential, commercial, parking, etc.) near structures.

    3) Solve built environment pollution, as well as water pollution by solid waste, via a drainage system integrated. Required to build public health facilities within existing buildings, the scale of the city, all connected to the sewer.

    4) Weed control and extermination and removal of all vegetation roots of invasive.

    5) Remove all additions built with concrete, and replace them with traditional materials.

    6) Waterproofing work on all ceilings, parapet walls, and any other structural elements to prevent the penetration of rain water and intensification of the deterioration of buildings and ruins.

    7) Protection waterproofed surfaces, to allow pedestrian uses.

    8) Repair and maintenance of drainage channels of water in and out of the strengths, to allow free flow of rainwater into the sea.

    9) Repair rainwater tanks inside the strengths and installation of submersible pumps to discharge water directly into the sea or existing water channels, avoiding unnecessary water pressure on the outside walls and foundations.

    10) Complete selective restoration of a limited number of strengths in order to determine actual costs of conservation and establish final standards for finishes and structural treatment to be followed in all future preservation work in Portobelo and San Lorenzo. Cal, wood, stone, brick, etc.. shall be procured locally as much as possible. The extracted material must also be reused when possible.

    11) The second phase trabajo conservation will focus on rehabilitation for tourist purposes, Cultural Studies, educational workshops, etc.. in view of sustainable management and maintenance.

    Titled, “Monitoring”, Panamanian authorities say the main action carried out during the year 2013 It was a slope stabilization project in the adjacent fortifications of Santiago that were affected by landslides in December hill 2010. This project was monitored by the “Technical Unit of the Office of Casco Antiguo”, in charge of monitoring the Management Plan for World Heritage Sites in Panama. The Management Plan was adopted by Resolution No. 186 DNPH (this means, which is a resolution, the National Institute of Culture through its National Heritage – DNPH), published in the Official Gazette No. 27387 of 3 October 2013. The abstract ends, indicating that the file monitoring presented below (in the full document, that is the internet) is presented in the format established by the Management Plan.

      ***End Summary Summary ***

    ON THE PLAN OF MANAGEMENT OF PANAMA UNESCO SITES

    For information on all of you, Resolution No. facilitated them. 186 DNPH de 2013 (Dé click aquí), and inserted in the Official Gazette No. 27387 of 3 October 2013 (Dé click aquí).

    Although the title of the Resolution reads, “Whereby the management plan of UNESCO sites approves Panama”, only refers to two (2) of the five (5) Panamanian registry sites on the World Heritage List. The three natural World Heritage sites Panamanians still managed by the National Environmental Authority (The Centre), not by the National Heritage (DNPH) the National Institute of Culture (INAC). Means for, property consists of the Old Town of Panama and the Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo, and property consists of fortifications in Portobelo and San Lorenzo.

    World Heritage Panamanian / Panamanian World Heritage

    World Heritage Panamanian / Panamanian World Heritage

    This plan is outlined in a simple resolution, elaborada for the DNPH. It consists of five paragraphs and three resolved, in the first of which consists of a list of 20 plan objectives.

    The second pre-determined points to existing authorities to Resolution, somehow that will support compliance objectives listed in the first resolved.

    It is very striking that the second does not mention resolved Patronage Portobelo San Lorenzo, nor the Patronato Panama Viejo, currently managing the respective sites present on the board INAC, everyone.

    The third resolved signals the start date of the plan. It ends with the legal basis, which are the Constitution of the Republic of Panama (and general), and the basic laws of Panamanian heritage: Law 14 of 1982, Law 91 of 1976 and Executive Order 51 of 2004.

    It is interesting that the Manual of Standards and Procedures for Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Old Town of Panama City, is supported by the hierarchy of Decree Law No.. 51 of 2004, by which it approved the Policy and Procedures Manual, containing inserts in articles some institutional resolutions DNPH. Certainly, Historical Monumental Complex of Old Town Panama Panama is the only monument that has its own manual of this type.

    Give thanks to UNESCO for, whose transparency policies allow us access to this information publicly available both in Panama and abroad.

    Regards,

    Katti Osorio Ugarte

    o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
    NOTE:
    The Report Information System State of Conservation of the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, likely to be available in July 2014, will be generated jointly by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS international reference material for the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO at its next meeting in mid- 2014. It will incorporate information provided by Panama in its report, reports and information and materials generated specifically for the case of international experts from UNESCO advisory bodies.

    These are the latest SOC, generated by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS: State of Conservation (SOC), in English.

    Statement released on 21 th of January, 2014 by Movement for Strengthening Panamanian Identity

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    Friends from Panama Equity:

    I bring the statement released on 21 th of January, 2014 in La Prensa of Panama, by Movement for Strengthening Panamanian Identity (click here for our Facebook page), in which I belong. It refers to the removal of the chair of History of Relations with the United States Panama, in schools and universities in Panama.

    Regards,

    Katti Osorio Ugarte

    The Press / 21 th of January, 2014

    STATEMENT OF MOVEMENT FOR IDENTITY PANAMEÑA

    Faced with the recent statements by President, in the sense that the removal of the chair of History of Panama's relations with the United States is justified, in our schools and universities, because it generates anti-American sentiment, citizens who participate in the Identity Movement Panamanian felt outraged. Thus, we join the clamor for citizens to be reinstated where this subject has been deleted and respected where it still survives, in the context of the school and university curriculum of the Republic of Panama.

    Denounce:
    The aforementioned public statements of the President of the Republic are regrettable because reveal a conditional identity and overly accommodating to the interests of the U.S.. by our president.

    We believe that this subject should be so current and objective, without prejudice or animosity against other nations, but always in defense of decolonization and recovery of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, as well as historical memory and identity of the Panamanian. Panamanians why we have become U.S. public relations, or any other country in the world, at the expense of our right to keep and update knowledge of the national past, to defend our economic interests, political and cultural, and strengthen our identity and national project.

    The decrease in hours of teaching subjects and the history of Panama absorption Relations with the United States Panama, in an overall synthesis, in schools and universities, promotes the loss of historical memory and identity of Panamanian, between youth and adults, besides damaging generational change our historians the consequent contraction of their workplace.

    The proposal to eliminate this subject responds to a foreign neoliberal utilitarian guideline to reduce hours of study of national histories in general, with the aim of strengthening technical training and learning natural sciences, detriment of the humanities, intended to meet the needs of the domestic market, global, removing material for the formation of the individual, leading us to significant gaps in the sense of valuing the shared roots, social responsibility, universal and national solidarity among Panamanians. This is aimed to train robots instead of forming citizens.

    We argue:
    National identities are constructed dynamically and relationally against other identities: Panamanian identity, from 1850, was constructed in relation to conflict and cooperation with U.S. neocolonialism in the Isthmus. For his part, American identity, and particularly Zonian, were the most powerful Republican counterpart Panamanian identity, becoming his "significant other", explained as symbolic anthropology, Spain and Colombia replacing in that role, in earlier periods of our history.

    Historical memory is the basis on which builds and renovates national identity. And national identity, bad a state can design a project inclusive, where all Panamanians can recognize and feel represented.

    The subject of History of Relations between Panama and the United States is the backbone of the republican history of Panama, including separation from Colombia, The Protectorate, the site of the Canal Zone, as the creation and consolidation of the Republic of Panama, to this day. And not exclude broader and global eyes of our international relations but, conversely, focuses on the context of the new colonialism.

    This chair is in effect today, because E.U.A. remain the main customer of the Panama Canal; because Panama has signed a Trade Promotion Agreement with that country with serious consequences of weakening the national agricultural sector; because the issue of combating drug trafficking has generated an international agreement that allows the construction of naval bases and requires considerable investment budget of Panama, without apparent success results; because we are also the subject of espionage by the U.S.; and the clause De Conccini, in the Torrijos-Carter Treaty, compromising the sovereignty of the nation state. These are some of the most important bilateral issues with the leading world power in this.

    Social needs, current trade policies and our country require consolidating the sovereignty of the Panamanian State, design a national long-term project, whose foreign policy more proactive and diversified so far, based on the experience of the bilateral relationship with the U.S.. to redefine it in terms decolonization among nations.

    Propose:
    Reinstating the chair of History of Relations between Panama and the United States, the legal mandate and the necessary budget to upgrade the course and their texts; training its teachers with more comprehensive and scientific approaches that have been taken so far and the implementation of educational technologies.

    The subject's use of bilateral relations with the U.S.. to rethink Panama options inside and outside of this binomial, overcoming narrow approaches to geopolitics Panama through history. From domestic criticism of U.S. relations with Panama, we can contemplate the choices we face in the present to diversify and expand our international policy and what this means to develop our regional integration best alternatives.

    Liberate the study merely curricular vision of history: pedagogy adopt a mobilizing to educate ethics; overcome the description of historical facts and making visible the lived route live, by the Panamanian nation, to achieve the sovereignty of the National Government, democratic and popular, so that youth recognize their right to democratic participation and responsibility in building this goal.

    Last, reiterate our call on the urgent need for Panamanians recover our historical memory and strengthen national identity. We express our Movement rejects any chauvinistic discourse on ethnic supremacy and, conversely, adopt the discourse of decolonization and cultural diversity of Panama, in tune with our Latin American and Caribbean environment, that should prompt us to build a free society, sustainable, intercultural fair and walk together to the XXI century.

    Coordinators of this Notice:
    Ana Elena Porras, Ricardo Rios Torres, Eduardo Flores Castro

    Given in Panama, Republic of Panama, on the 18 th of January, 2014

    First Session of, Let's Talk About Heritage 2014, “Heritage and Memory: 9 January 1964”

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    Dear friends of Patrimonio Panamá:

    Part Talk Heritage Days Committee, I extend the invitation to the First Day of the Year Heritage Talk 2014, “Heritage and Memory: 9 January 1964”. You are cordially invited!

    Dear Friends:

    Happy and happy year for you all, Part of this Let's talk about your Heritage Days Committee!

    Always grateful for your interest in this effort for heritage and culture in Panama, we begin let's talk about Heritage Days in 2014 with our First Day, “Heritage and Memory: 9 January 1964”. So with great excitement, we become partakers of the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the patriotic deeds of 9 January, with all of you.

    The objective of this first day is a dialogue on the profound action of memory in shaping our country heritage. In this special case, we have the introduction to the topic through their direct experiences in events 1964 Cesar Villarreal. They continue Francisco Herrera, eloquent and profound reflections on identity and memory within the 9 th of January, 1964, Alina Torrero and also lead us to deeper thoughts, with a new way of looking at the past and bring nearer the city, in those spaces for memory keeping. César Villarreal will be our moderator.

    On the First Day Talk of Heritage 2014, “Heritage and Memory: 9 January 1964”, we auspices Patronato Panama Viejo, National Library “Ernesto J. Castillero”, it MAC Museum of Contemporary Art of Panama, City of Knowledge, this Committee and its Heritage Days Talk. The Day will be held on Thursday 30 th of January, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), in Martyrs Avenue and Calle San Blas, Ancon. You will find attached to this post, the front and back of the invitation card, and a guide map to reach the MAC.

    As always, expect them enthusiastically, mind and open arms. Admission will be free forever. Invite those who want; come and listen, ask, share with us, and again talk about heritage.

    The hope!

    Regards,

    Katti Osorio Ugarte
    Let's Talk About Heritage Committee
    jornadashablemosdepatrimonio@gmail.com
    https://www.facebook.com/JornadasHablemosDePatrimonio

    First Session of, Let's Talk About Heritage 2014, "Patrimonio y Memoria: 9 January 1964"

    First Session of, Let's Talk About Heritage 2014, “Heritage and Memory: 9 January 1964”

    341st anniversary of the relocation of Panama City

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    Dear friends of Patrimonio Panamá:

    Today marks 341 years since the relocation of Panama City, from the place we now know as the Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo, to her current seat on the peninsula occupied by the Historic District of Panama (Casco Antiguo). The 21 th of January, 1673 is a special day, where the geopolitical importance of the strategic position of the port city of Panama in Central America was reaffirmed.

    The 21 th of January, 1673 the relocation of Panama City became official 1673 from its original seat in the ruins of Panama Viejo, to another location about eight miles away; a location we know today as Casco Antiguo, within the same city limits assigned to it by the Spanish crown's royal decree of 6 th of September, 1521. These extended from the boundary of the city of Natá, the Chame River to the West; Chepo River to the East; Nombre de Dios to the North, approximately half the distance between the two cities; and the Islands of the Pearls, to the South. Indeed, Panama City was relocated, not refounded, within its original territory, with its Cabildo (seat of municipality), its Royal Court and diocese.

    The relocation took place on 21 th of January, 1673, as Don Antonio Fernández de Córdoba executed the royal decree of 31 October 1672, by which the Spanish crown ordered the city relocated to the site called “Lancon” by building in the name of the king the houses for the Royal Court, the Cabildo, and the Cathedral Church; namely, the royal power, the Municipal power and ecclesiastical power for the government of Tierra Firme, retaining the port city on Perico Island, and giving special importance to protect the city by an enclosing wall. In the twentieth century, Panama City Council adopted the Decision No.. 59 of 13 of May 1953 officially declared 15 of August, 1519 date of foundation, considering the 21 January as the date of relocation. On the year 2019, Panama City will be 500 years old.

    UNESCO recognized Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo as the same city, registered in two stages in the World Heritage List, in 1997 and in 2003. Its outstanding universal value is based on the same evaluation criteria for Panama Viejo and for Casco Antiguo, because the relocated city continued its original functions as terminal of maritime and terrestrial routes. Cultural exchange through the centuries, its access to the sea, and the very special setting of the rocky peninsula that protects the historic district gave rise to its urban layout, to the development of its architecture, and to its geopolitical importance, which seduced the mind of Simon Bolivar to celebrate in Panama his Amphictyonic Congress despite the state of ruin in which the city was in 1826, according to maps from the first half of the nineteenth century.

    Last year, we celebrated 500 years of the South Sea sighting by Europeans. Both events, the sighting of the South Sea (Pacific Ocean) 1513 and the founding of Panama City in 1519, are inseparable facts. With his sighting, Balboa demonstrated that this land was a new continent to the western world, and also the fact that he had gone across an isthmus. Panama City was born from the order of the Spanish empire to found a port city that would serve as a spearhead for the domain of the new sea and the rest of the continent. From it were established transisthmian routes, Camino Real and Camino de Cruces, and sea routes, linking the port of Panama with other major ports such as Acapulco and El Callao, established after the conquest travels to Mexico and Peru, creating connections that spread to Asia. Its geopolitical significance was worth the cost and effort of reactivating Panama after assault and destruction 1671, transferring it to a nearby site that would allow to quickly reactivate the port in Perico Island, and the Fairs of Portobelo on the Atlantic coast. Panama City and its history can not be interpreted without the sea that surrounds it and that gave it access to the world.

    Regards,

    Katti Osorio

    Panama, 1521

    Approximate boundaries of the city of Panama as royal decree of 6 th of September, 1521.

    A single property: Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District of Panama (790bis) (Panamá)

    A single property: Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District of Panama (790bis) (Panamá)

    Related Reading: “State of Conservation Information System Update”, and “The Historic District of Panama and Criterion (vi) of Outstanding Universal Value”

    Décimas to the Motherland on the fiftieth anniversary of 9 January

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    Dear friends of Patrimonio Panamá:

    This has been an excellent week to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Patriotic Feat 9 th of January, 1964. With the Law No. 118 of 27 December 2013 declaring the 9 January each year Day of National Sovereignty, citizen initiative presented by the Citizens Movement for Strengthening Identity Panamanian, from this year on the date of the Patriotic Feat shan't be transferred to create a long holiday weekend (día puente), and will be remembered with events, TV specials, educational activities, conferences, murals and art exhibitions, as well as public State events, every year from now on.

    Dear friends, I bring for you a segment “of the Ceremony commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Patriotic Feat 9 January 1964” which took place on 8 th of January, 2014 at the National Library “Ernesto J. Castillero R.” Panama City. The ceremony was carried out under the auspices of, the Citizens Movement for Strengthening of Panamanian Identity (also known as, Movement for the Rescue of Identity and Historical Memory), National Library “Ernesto J. Castillero R.”, National Institute Foundation, National Institute Association – Generation 1964, Alumni Association of the National Institute – Generation 1957. The ceremony was beautiful, involving local personalities linked to the Patriotic Feat, and the venue was completely full with public.

    There was no party flags, Panamanians and jubilant friends only. There were speeches, poetry, and testimonies of the Patriotic Feat; presentation of certificates to illustrious Panamanians and of course, the itinerant exhibit of the Caravan of Sovereignty, with varied and abundant documentation on the 9 th of January, 1964 and related events.

    This is the segment that I want to share with you:

    El Grupo Riba-Smith, troubadours sponsored by supermarket chain Riba-Smith, sang Décimas to the Motherland on ocassion of the Solemn ceremony. They were very nice songs, so I would like to share their music with you. The Changmarín Foundation was present, and presented to el Grupo Riba-Smith a CD of Décimas to the Motherland by Master Carlos Francisco Changmarín, Panamanian author, essayist and composer of great renown, for his work on national issues. Professor Ricardo Rios, driver of the Caravan of Sovereignty, also received a CD in recognition of his worthy efforts to promote the historical memory of the homeland.

    I will update this post later, with some photos.

    Regards,

    Katti Osorio

    8th Let's Talk About Heritage Session: Heritage and Identities

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    Dear friends:

    Again I am writing to invite you to participate in the initiative, Let's Talk About Heritage Sessions. The theme of the Eighth Let's Talk About Heritage Session is, Heritage and Identities.

    The aim of the Let's Talk About Heritage Sessions is simple: It is, to create awareness in the general public, alleviating the lack of knowledge around issues of culture and heritage. For this, our Let's Talk About Heritage Committee coordinates monthly events, open to the general public for free; Featured panelists present on different topics, at venues related to culture and heritage.

    The aim of the Eighth Let's Talk About Heritage Session, “Heritage and Identities”, is to share with you all approaches to the role of heritage in the construction of our “identities”. Do you want to know more? Come join us for this interesting Let's Talk About Heritage Session!

    To reflect on heritage and identities with the valuable participation of all of you, we are sponsored by the Patronato Panama Viejo, University of Panama through the Research Centre of the Faculty of Humanities (CIFHU), National Library of Panama Ernesto J. Castillero, City of Knowledge, and the Let's Talk About Heritage Committee, in which I belong. The Let's Talk About Heritage Session, “Heritage and Identities”, will take place on Monday 25 of November, 2013 at 6:30 p.m., in the Manuel Octavio Sisnett Hall, at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Panama. Admission is free; reservation is not needed. Invite as many people as you wish, as always, All shall be welcome!

    This time we have the participation of Professor Francisco A. Herrera, who will talk about a historical problem: the crossroads between national identity and cultural identities. Professor Ana Elena Porras Guizado will tell us about the metaphors of the National State in Panama, between 1990 and 2002. Professor Fernando Aparicio will accompany us as the moderator. You will find attached to this post the front and back of the invitation card, with details about the talks, and short biography of our lecturers, and of our moderator.

    Admission is free; you are very cordially invited. Come and listen, ask, find out about a thousand interesting things; come with us and let's talk about heritage again.

    Best Regards,

    Katti Osorio Ugarte
    Let's Talk About Heritage Committee
    jornadashablemosdepatrimonio@gMayl.com

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    Canal de YouTube, “Heritage Panama”

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    Friends, I announce with joy the opening of the Panama Canal Heritage YouTube.

    The aim of the Panama Canal Heritage YouTube is put at its disposal a range of lists (playlists) Videos related to heritage and culture, especially Panama. In the future we will have some videos themselves.

    Hitherto, The following lists are:

    • Random in Panama / Panama at random. It's a list of interesting videos, Panama related to generally.
    • Panamanian Culture / Panamanian culture. It is a list of related videos to culture in Panama, ethnically diverse, human groups and indigenous cultural expressions that represent various aspects of Panama as a country.
    • Historic Sites in Panama / Historic sites in Panama. Contains videos showing historic sites Panamanians, sights, monumental, parks, squares and other related to Panamanian history.
    • Historic district of Panama / Casco Antiguo of Panama. Videos that show aspects of the Old Town of the City of Panama and thus document changes in it over time.
    • Great vids related to cultural heritage / Related Videos wonderful al cultural heritage. This list is a bit irreverent; contains Videos (as you find them) with unconventional views on cultural heritage, fun music and artistic expressions (and some not so funny).
    • Natural heritage in Panama / Natural heritage in Panama. Videos about nature in Panama and beauty.
    • UNESCO and World Heritage / UNESCO and world heritage. List of educational topics generated by UNESCO, or related to protected sites under the World Heritage Convention 1972 (UNESCO).

    To access the Panama Canal Heritage on YouTube, press the button:

    Panama Heritage on YouTube

    Historic Panama Canal YouTube
    Historic Panama YouTube Channel

    I hope you enjoy my selection of videos, PatrimonioPanama.com and some videos that go slowly adding in the future.

    As always, Thanks for your visit.