Andreu Cornelles
The Institute of Mexico in Spain organized last Tuesday a round table on the occasion of the inclusion last December 11 of the manufacture of ceramics “talaveranas” in Puebla and Tlaxcala (Mexico), and in Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo (Spain) in the list of intangible heritage of humanity of UNESCO.
As highlighted by the Institute of Mexico, “this recognition gives value to a cultural heritage that for more than four centuries has transported us to the deepest form of expression of creativity; and this is also the recognition of the communities of artisans in both Spanish and Mexican municipalities that have been manufacturing with traditional methods since the 15th and 16th centuries.
The director of the Provincial Museum of Santa Cruz de Toledo, Fernando Luis Fontes, explained that the “talavera poblana” has its origin in the Talavera de la Reina of the 16th century when the Spanish town enjoyed the monopoly of exporting this product to the Americas. However, he also pointed out that later Puebla ceramics picked up “Chinese and indigenous influences that have made it a unique product”.
Spanish diplomat Leticia Pico de Coaña, representing AECID, emphasized that this is the “first joint transatlantic candidacy in history, just on the 500th anniversary of Cortés’ arrival in Mexican territory. She also stressed that the candidature “promoted by the local communities” is “proof that Mexico and Spain have worked and will continue to work together”.
With respect to the protection of this type of heritage, the jurist Ana Yáñez explained the technical difficulty involved in “protecting what is intangible”. And although, as she indicated, in the case of ceramics or talavera poblana “material and immaterial protection in the process of creation go hand in hand”; and new instruments must be sought such as “the promotion of technical studies or the training of new generations of artisans to continue preserving these goods”.
Finally, on behalf of the Mexican State of Puebla, Fabián Valdivia, Deputy Secretary of Development and Training of the Department of Culture and Tourism, added that “without a doubt, this declaration as intangible cultural heritage is a source of pride for the bilateral relationship and shows that both countries have a shared cultural history that must be protected”.
