The initiative, set to begin this Friday, April 10, at the Municipal Historical Archive, will allow participants to explore essential documents that shed light on the social, political, economic, and cultural evolution of Tenerife from the 15th century to the present. The visits will continue throughout April, May, and June, with sessions led by specialists from each participating institution.
“"The reception has been overwhelming and deeply significant. This initiative is not just a tour of archives, but a heritage mediation tool that opens spaces traditionally reserved for specialists and transforms them into living, accessible, and shared places."
The Councillor for Cultural Heritage, Adolfo Cordobés, highlighted the “overwhelming” response, noting that all more than 150 spots being filled in a single day demonstrates the public's desire to connect with its documentary memory. Cordobés also mentioned that 'Documenta' aligns with UNESCO's recommendations, which consider historical documentation an essential part of the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage Sites.
Historian and popularizer Néstor Verona, coordinator and guide of the visits, explained that sessions are held in the morning to ensure the presence of technical staff and specialists. This allows participants to observe the real processes of work, conservation, and document management. Verona emphasized that the goal is not only to display documents but also to explain how they are cared for, cataloged, restored, and their role in historical research and public decision-making.
“"It's not just about showing documents, but about explaining how they are cared for, cataloged, restored, and what role they play in historical research and public decision-making."
The small group format, with only 12 people per session, addresses both conservation criteria and the desire to offer a rigorous and intimate experience. Historical archives, with their immensely valuable heritage collections, require careful handling, and small groups facilitate direct interaction with specialists and detailed observation of selected pieces.
The project collaborates with the Municipal Historical Archive, the Diocesan Historical Archive, the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Tenerife, and the Ancient Collection of the University of La Laguna. These institutions will open their collections to bring citizens closer to documents that narrate the conquest, land distribution, urban evolution, life, scientific activity, and intellectual history of the archipelago over more than five centuries, solidifying La Laguna as the documentary capital of the Canary Islands.
