The announcement came from the City Council of La Laguna, revealing that all the political factions in the plenary assembly have reached a consensus during a recent Meeting of Spokespersons to dedicate Casa Anchieta, the birth home of the esteemed local figure Father Anchieta, to establishing the inaugural interpretation centre on the Islands focusing on this eminent resident from the 16th century. This initiative has received backing from various groups, including the Brotherhood of Knights of San José de Anchieta, and is scheduled to be presented for final approval during the upcoming plenary session tomorrow, as stated by the municipality yesterday.
Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez expressed satisfaction at the “unanimous agreement, putting an end to uncertainties surrounding the usage of a structure intricately linked to San José de Anchieta, a pivotal historical figure in La Laguna renowned for his missionary work in Brazil, and addressing the community’s desire for a dedicated space honouring his legacy.”
According to the council, this unanimous decision will resolve outstanding claims from other factions and organizations regarding the property situated near Plaza del Adelantado, recognized as a BIC (Cultural Interest Site), and recently completed its renovation.
This development signifies the revival of plans to convert Casa Anchieta into a museum focusing on the life of the saint, following the initial decision by the Heritage Councilor in early January to discard the project, which was in progress, in favour of exploring alternative options, including accommodating heritage entities associated with the city’s history and Father Anchieta, as reported at the time to DIARIO DE AVISOS. By the end of the month, the council reaffirmed in a statement that various possibilities for its usage tied to heritage were under evaluation, prompting calls to uphold the original plan approved by the Municipal Historical Heritage Council in November 2016 to establish a museum on the premises.
The council’s recent announcement detailed the forthcoming motion’s approval for utilizing the venue as a “hub for the enrichment, research and promotion of San José de Anchieta”, aligning with the outlined musealisation plan as an interpretation centre crafted by Pintadera Consultoría y Gestión SL and endorsed by the council. The Municipal Cultural Heritage Council will lead the initiative to update the project, adapting it to modern exhibition and technological standards while ensuring its financial viability and management, including determining the requisite investment.
Furthermore, the council disclosed that due to delays in the restoration project, caused by its complexity and unforeseen challenges encountered during the process, the timeline for accessing a subsidy awarded to aid the property’s conversion into a museum has been impacted, with the completion of works concluding in December of the previous year. Consequently, once there is consensus within the aforementioned council, which is finalizing its formation and will convene shortly, efforts will be made to explore all available funding options to supplement the municipal investment.
