On March 11, Territorio Mudéjar presented the schedule for its activities in 2019.
In its efforts to spotlight the wealth and diversity of the entity’s 30 member municipalities falling under the umbrella of the World Heritage international brand, Territorio Mudéjar is committed to attracting talent and involving the local inhabitants in promoting the region through its Mudejar identity.
Territorio Mudéjar is based on a sustainable management model for culture and tourism with a view to developing initiatives for the dissemination and use of this artistic genre declared World Heritage by the UNESCO in 2001.
The meeting was attended by the member city councils and representatives of the archbishopric of Zaragoza and the bishopric of Tarazona, the latter two of which were nominated as honorary members of Territorio Mudéjar. Also present were the members of the scientific committee, composed of University of Zaragoza professors Jesús Criado Mainar, Ernesto Arce Oliva and Esteban Sarasa Sánchez; University of Granada department chair and professor José Castillo Ruiz; professor Celia Martínez Yáñez on behalf of ICOMOS Spain; and architect Javier Ibargüen, from the Association of Architects of Aragón.
Some of the entity’s partners, with whom collaboration projects will be commencing in the coming weeks, were also in attendance: José Andrés, from the Directorate General for Heritage and Culture of the Government of Aragón, Juan Carlos Lozano, head of the art history department at University of Zaragoza, Beatriz Martín, from the Polytechnic School of Engineering in La Almunia and Rosario Añaños, director of Museo Goya, pertaining to Fundación Ibercaja.
Pilot grants for projects and fieldwork: One of the most innovative initiatives by Territorio Mudéjar is its proposal to award up to six fieldwork grants for experts, each working on their respective pilot projects related to Mudejar culture, which could create a network of professionals linked to these towns. The initiative is open to professionals with a wide range of skills, and seeks to promote educational and recreational activities among the local population by making use of monumental, agricultural, water-related, ethnographic and intangible heritage whose Mudejar roots remain intact in the association’s towns.
Activities to engage the local inhabitants: In order to familiarize the inhabitants of Territorio Mudéjar with the treasures they have in their towns and to turn them into opinion leaders about this wealth and diversity, outreach sessions and tours have been designed and scheduled to coincide with and adapt to the important dates in each of the towns in the association.
Sessions for specialists and the media: Mudejar cultural heritage will also be promoted by organizing work sessions for specialists and media professionals. The aim is to familiarize them with this exceptional legacy directly, so that they come to appreciate the potential offered by the UNESCO World Heritage declaration.
Promoting the World Heritage brand: We strive to promote the globally-renowned World Heritage brand and to ensure that, in connection with Territorio Mudéjar, it is taken into account in the campaigns and programs launched by a range of institutions, from the Provincial Government of Zaragoza to the Regional Government of Aragón, local districts and private entities. The goal is to focus our work from the local to the international level so that, ultimately, these efforts have a direct impact on the region, raising awareness about the fact that heritage wealth must reach beyond the obvious monuments and that a change of discourse and an innovative perspective is possible.
Territorio Mudéjar live: The social media afford other channels through which to make the value of our local resources known to the world. With this aim, live broadcasts started to stream in late March, and initial outreach training sessions on the MIRIADAX platform created by Fundación Telefónica will begin in autumn.
Seeking national and international funding: The final aspect of the activity program for 2019 involves a third strategy in which specialized teams will focus on applying for all eligible funding projects at the national, European and international levels in order to ensure continuity for the projects in 2020 and 2021.
Gonzalo Borrás, honorary director of the scientific committee: The assembly was the perfect setting to spotlight the figure of the recently deceased professor Gonzalo Borrás, who was named honorary director of the Territorio Mudéjar scientific committee, as a tribute not only to his extraordinary contribution to the study and dissemination of Mudejar art, but also to his unique relationship with the Territorio Mudéjar project from the outset.
