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The raison d'être of
heritage in the 21st century

July 29 and 30, 2025

Cultural heritage: between memory, identity and transformation

The challenges of preserving heritage will be addressed and the revitalization of historical spaces will be discussed, giving them new lives and purposes.

It will be an opportunity to rethink the future of the past, the decisions of citizens and political representatives, and the public policies that affect cultural heritage.

Opening this space for debate in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage City, strengthens the link between theory and practice, allowing one to directly experience the relevance of cultural heritage.

The course is taught in person or can be followed live online.

CARMEN ESPECEL

Carmen Espegel Alonso

Professor of Architectural Projects at the Higher Technical School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM).
Alejandro de Avila

Alejandro de Ávila Blomberg

Botanist and Doctor of Anthropology.
Michael Jakob_web

Michael Jakob

Professor of History and Landscape Theory at the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture of the Italian Università della Svizzera.
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José Farrujia de la Rosa

Doctor of History and professor at the University of La Laguna.
Jose Luis Rivero

José Luis Rivero Ceballos

Professor of Applied Economics at the University of La Laguna
bandarin

Francesco Bandarin

Architect, former Deputy Director-General for Culture at UNESCO
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Francisco Aznar Vallejo

President of the International Center for Heritage Conservation Foundation (CICOP).
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Juan Manuel Palerm Salazar

Architect and Professor of Architecture in the area of ​​Architectural Projects at the School of Architecture of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Angela Ruiz Martinez Official Photo (1)

Angela Ruiz Martinez

Doctor of Architecture and professor of architectural projects at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Course program:
The raison d'être of
heritage in the 21st century

Conference. Renewing the approach to heritage conservation: the role of civil society

Reason for being the heritage of the 21st century
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 |
10:00 - 11:15
La Laguna Cajacanarias Cultural Space
Francesco Bandarin. He is an architect and former Deputy Director-General for Culture at UNESCO.

Conference. Reinventing the built heritage

Reason for being the heritage of the 21st century
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 |
11:45 - 13:00
La Laguna Cajacanarias Cultural Space
Carmen Espegel. She is a Professor of Architectural Projects at the Higher Technical School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM).

Guided tour: “La Laguna house, orchard, patio, garden”

Reason for being the heritage of the 21st century
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 |
17:00 - 19:00
Cultural tour of some of the most representative courtyards of La Laguna aimed at the participants of the course Reason for being of the heritage of the 21st century.

Conference. Biocultural heritage and daily life in a Hispanic American city

Reason for being the heritage of the 21st century
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 |
10:00 - 11:15
La Laguna Cajacanarias Cultural Space
Alejandro de Ávila Blomberg. He is a botanist and holds a doctorate in Anthropology.

Conference. The “invention” of heritage: contradictions and possibilities

Reason for being the heritage of the 21st century
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 |
11:45 - 13:00
La Laguna Cajacanarias Cultural Space
Michael Jakob. He is Professor of History and Landscape Theory at the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture of the Italian Università della Svizzera.

Seminar: The Rationale for Heritage in the 21st Century

Reason for being the heritage of the 21st century
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 |
13:00 - 14:15
La Laguna Cajacanarias Cultural Space
This seminar brings together a group of leading international specialists who will address heritage as a cultural, economic and social driver, from the perspective of conservation, protection and innovation.