La Laguna, along with the rest of the towns that make up the World Heritage Cities Group, celebrated last weekend the sixth edition of Heritage Night, an initiative that was once again a successful event in the different routes designed by the Town Hall to visit the most emblematic buildings in the town area and the different shows that were offered live on the stages and streets of the municipality.
The mayor and president of the Heritage Cities Group, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, stressed that “the balance of this event is very satisfactory because thousands of people have filled our historic centers on a magical night for the most important monuments of our country, with massive influx to enjoy high-level shows and an ambitious program of activities for all audiences and free of charge. “It has been the great festival of culture in the 15 World Heritage Cities, proud of everything we offer to the world, on the date on which we celebrate the Group’s XXX anniversary.”
Until midnight, the public could enjoy numerous activities in cathedrals, palaces or museums, including guided tours, workshops, concerts and open-air shows. The Heritage Night program has had, once again, the support of UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture and Sports, coinciding with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Also with Paradores de Turismo, as a strategic partner of the Group, which offered a program of events in the network’s accommodations. This year Mexico, Cuba and Peru have also joined this event.
The mayor recalled that “the Group of Spanish Heritage Cities was established in Ávila on September 17, 1993, as an association formed by Spanish municipalities with historical sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage list” and 30 years later “ “It has become an international reference in the conservation and defense of universal heritage.”
He also added that there are new challenges they face, such as the gentrification of historic centers, tourist overcrowding or the difficulties in guaranteeing full accessibility of historic centers, among others, “which force us to continue reinventing ourselves in order to promote the sustainability of our destinations and guarantee the integrity of our historical legacy”
