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With an exhibition in Chile, UNESCO and the La Moneda Cultural Center commemorate 10 years of Qhapaq Ñan as a World Heritage Site
The Qhapaq Ñan, or “main road” in Quechua, is the vast Andean road system of pre-Hispanic origin that facilitated connections between various communities and territories, with effects that are still felt today. Spanning approximately 30,000 kilometres, it was constructed over several centuries by the Inca people, making use of pre-existing infrastructures to improve communication, transportation, and trade.
Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of UNESCO Regional Office, expressed her enthusiasm for this commemoration: “Ten years ago, the Andean Road System, Qhapaq Ñan, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to the joint efforts of the countries involved: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. UNESCO remains committed to supporting the management and enhancement of cultural heritage by promoting its value, sharing knowledge, and working towards its preservation for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
“This exhibition views the Inca Road as a space where memories, exchanges, ruptures, conquests, dispossession, mestizaje, and identities are made visible, speaking from and about South America. One of its main goals is to highlight the ‘knots’ as points of contact between communities and to reflect on this cultural diversity. It also offers a reflection on the concepts of borders and nation-states,” stated Regina Rodríguez, Executive Director of the La Moneda Cultural Center (CCLM).
In addition to UNESCO’s support, the exhibition is backed by the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and the Intercultural Association of Andean Peoples Jach’a Marka.
The exhibition, “Qhapaq Ñan / Inca Road: Knots and Encounters,” will be open to the public free of charge from June 25 to August 25, in the Patrimonio Gallery, level -1 of the La Moneda Cultural Center.
