While presenting themselves as "the voice of the People" rejecting the explorations, talking about ecology and natural heritage, these "saviors of the homeland" acted with the double standard to which they have accustomed us and resumed Chillida's macro project in Fuerteventura.
Recently, the family of the much-criticized artist has rejected their rights over the monumental construction and, therefore, the destruction of the sacred mountain. At the end of the legislature, those politically involved return to the attack with their business.
In reality, in the Canary Islands there has never been a real awareness of the historical heritage we have under our feet. Reaching such extremes that the consideration of a city like La Laguna as a World Heritage Site is proposed and achieved, while monuments of the historical stature of the painted caves of Galdar, much more important than the Cathedral of La Laguna in terms of heritage value, remain in the background and the historical/cultural sense that both may have is barely valued. Or the pre-colonial heritage of La Laguna itself, which should be added to the World Heritage that we already have recognized.
In reality, action should be taken in the Tindaya case, so that the delimitation proposed in decree 108/2014 is reconsidered from the Government of the Canary Islands itself, which only protects the summit of the mountain. The scientific community and the legislation itself are clear and unanimous in this regard: Mount Tindaya must be a BIC in its entirety. You cannot only protect the summit, even if it means the total suspension of the Chillida project. What's more, we prefer to add to Tindaya the title of Natural Monument, convinced that we fully deserve it.
That should be a first step to clearly separate pre-colonial heritage from colonial heritage in legislation. Giving each one the importance it deserves. But without ignoring that the former not only speaks of another culture, in which the inhabitants of the Archipelago have a special role, but the scientific interest is much greater and the institutional effort must be in accordance with this. That is why it would also be important to resume the General Plan for Archaeological Excavations. Since this plan defines the priorities in research, conservation and dissemination throughout the archipelago. Furthermore, with its framework for action, it prevents work from continuing on island heritage policies, completely removed from the national reading of our heritage.
The opposite is not only being complicit in the most cruel cultural colonialism, but also participating in an unforgivable attack against the heritage of humanity.
Pedro González Cánovas, member of the Canarian Nationalist Alternative, ANC
