The activity began with the words of the Director of the MMN, Rear Admiral Andrés Rodrigo, who recalled the most important milestones that have marked the history of this centenary institution of the Chilean Navy, one of the most emblematic being its change of name to Museum Naval de Valparaíso to the National Maritime Museum, in 2011, recognizing the importance of the growth of this historical heritage center to become the main reference in the country in terms of its maritime history. A relevant aspect that occurred this year was the total administration of the building known in the Navy as the “Blanca Casona”, where the Museum is located, which will allow it to have larger museum spaces in the future, expand the places for activities and workshops. and, consequently, provide greater experiences to the thousands of visitors who come to this historic heritage center year after year.
In this sense, in his speech, Rear Admiral Rodrigo pointed out: “generate a different experience, respond to the needs of visitors in a pleasant environment, but also one of reflection and appreciation of our maritime heritage, which highlights our naval heroes and common seafarers for their transcendental legacy, which also embraces maritime history, culture, arts, sciences and marine life and even music and folklore related to the sea, will undoubtedly always be aspects to continue addressing and developing in order to strengthen the required and necessary maritime awareness for our nation that depends on the sea as an essential element for its survival.”
In line with the director’s words and the commitment that the museum has assumed in strengthening the sense of maritime identity, where the sea has been the scene and protagonist of important events that have marked the historical future and development of the nation, the The main event that marked the day of celebration of the 109th anniversary of the MMN, and in a joint effort with the Adolfo Ibáñez University and the Center for American Studies of the same university, was the holding of a colloquium entitled: “Bombering of Valparaíso . Maritime power and international law in historical perspective”, a meeting that featured prominent academics as panelists, including; the Director of the Center for American Studies of the UAI, Rodrigo Escribano; the Coordinator of the Center for Naval and Maritime Studies and civilian professor at the Naval War Academy, Mrs. María José Piñeiro; the professor of Political Institutions at the School of Public Administration of the University of Valparaíso, Fernando Pérez; and the Head of the Department of Museology of the MMN, professor of History and Geography, Marco Fernández, who addressed important aspects related to the bombing of Valparaíso (March 31, 1866), within the framework of the war against Spain, origins of this conflict, its causes, political objectives, naval power and maritime interests, international relations and their consequences, thus opening a space for knowledge and reflection in the audience.
It should be noted that this interesting discussion is available on the Museum’s YouTube channel @museomaritimocl for public knowledge.
