The General Assembly of Members of the Saltpeter Museum Corporation (CMS) was held again in the Humberstone Saltpeter Works, bringing together groups of pampinos from Iquique and Arica. On the occasion, the president of the Board of Directors, Sergio Bitar, pointed out that the progress in works and projects marks a milestone, transforming the World Heritage Site into a cultural and tourist reference.
This session was held in the theater hall, in which a review of this iconic and emblematic place in the Tarapacá region was made, and a new goal was set: the creation of the Iodine Museumwhich will give an account of a historical and unique industrial process in the world, and which will be enabled together with a relevant museography in the Santa Laura Administration House.
“The Assembly applauded a lot today, like never before, because what the Saltpeter Museum Corporation has done, to save and restore Humberstone and Santa Laura, is a feat that there is no other in Chile,” said Bitar, emphasizing that it is the result of the work of the pampinos, the public and private institutions and those who are part of the team of professionals and workers of the CMS.
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL
The President was accompanied in the front by the general secretary and Antofagasta lawyer, Jorge Molina, who read the minutes of the 2022 Session held in Iquique, which was approved unanimously. There was also Silvio Zerega who, in his capacity as Executive Director, reported on the management carried out this last year and announced the works and projects for 2024; some already underway, others in the design stage and finally, those that are in the financing stage.
Among what was carried out, he referred to the Improvement of the Humberstone Plaza Odeon, the Battery Renewal Project of the Photovoltaic System of the Santa Laura and Humberstone Saltpeter Works, the Electrical Workshop Restoration in Santa Laura, the Curved Corner Housing Rehabilitation, among many others.
Regarding the upcoming challenges, he highlighted the project to create a large mural in the El Colorado sector, which would commemorate the old train station; Podcast recordings, around the figure of the nitrate businessman Santiago Humberstone; installation of tourist stops in nitrate offices, as was done in Victoria, a few years ago. In addition, the rehabilitation of the Professionals’ Houses, which will house a cultural center in Humberstone, Restoration of the Santa Laura Polyclinic, Restitution of Housing Roofs Project in Salitrera Humberstone, Restoration of interior coatings School No. 35 of Humberstone, among others.
Among the activities, he announced that Humberstone will be a special focus for the celebration of Heritage Day, at the end of May, with a high-level presentation of lyrical singing.
PAMPINES AND PAMPINES
The pampinos and pampinas gathered at the Annual Assembly, not only unanimously approved the management account, but also expressed their satisfaction with the achievements achieved.
Silvia Contreras, from Camp Don Guillermo, Nebraska Group, valued the works he appreciated, pointing out that he hopes Humberstone Square will be improved, “which was very beautiful.” He also called on new generations to participate in preserving the Pampina culture, in honor of his parents and grandparents.
Mario Marroquín, also from Campamento Don Guillermo, has a long history in the pampina struggle. He is Director of the CMS and says that although great management has been carried out, “we pampas are always going to go further, because the pampas are our environment. I am part of history and I want this to continue growing… the pampinos are dying, that is why we have to work a lot.”
Matilde Vergara, born and raised in the Victoria Officealso called for the new generations to be more concerned about the restoration of all the nitrate offices.”
César Gandolfo was born in the Humberstone Office, But after the stoppage of the nitrate mines, his family moved to Arica, where he resides to this day, but every year he returns to participate in the Pampas activities. “We have to work all the pampas so that the pampa never dies,” he remarked.
