Introducing young people to their local heritage: educational initiative
As part of the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2025 campaign, this educational initiative seeks to raise awareness among young people about the importance of safeguarding living heritage within their own communities.
In Villa Atamisqui (Province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina), La Sacha Foundation and the Runa Simi Santiago PCI (Intangible Cultural Heritage) Programme are conducting a training course titled “Introducing Young People to Their Local Heritage” for students and teachers of the Teacher Training Institute No. 14, as well as for Language and Literature and Geography teachers.
The classes are organized around three themes:
- Linguistic Heritage: taught by Professor Ilda Juárez de Paz, researcher in regional linguistics and specifically Santiago Quichua.
- Musical and Artisan Heritage: taught by teacher and artisan Manuel Herrera, with a special focus on the construction of the sachaguitarra instrument.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage: taught by cultural manager and teacher Ana María Larcher, specialist in the subject.
The training runs from July to October 2025 in four stages. Students and teachers reflect on the intangible manifestations and expressions of Villa Atamisqui — a territory deeply rooted in its own identity and traditions.
The Runa Simi Santiago project celebrates 20 years of work dedicated to raising awareness about ICH, and for this 2025 edition, the theme is “Educate in ICH.”
The training is supported by the Provincial Chief of Staff of Ministers and the Undersecretariat of Culture, and is sponsored by the Provincial Ministry of Education.
The International Centre for the Conservation of Argentine Heritage also supports this initiative as part of its federal commitment to defending provincial and national heritage.
Programme
Location: Villa Atamisqui, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Date: 20 October 2025 – 7 p.m.
Venue: Teacher Training Institute No. 14 (Language and Literature and Geography Teacher Training Schools)
Date: 21 October 2025 – 9 a.m. Closing of the training
Venue: Juan XXIII Institute Secondary School
Activity: Final rehearsal of the song “Solo le pido a Dios” (I Only Ask of God) by musician León Gieco, translated into Santiago del Estero Quechua by musician Elpidio Herrera (authorized translation).
Text as provided by the organiser(s).
