A superficial fix for deep-rooted problems
The recent return to the traditional name "Heritage Day" (Día del Patrimonio) has drawn criticism from academia, with experts warning that this semantic adjustment fails to address the fundamental issues facing cultural conservation in Chile. Daniel Schmidt, dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Construction, and Environment at the Universidad Autónoma de Chile, notes that this decision invites a reflection that goes far beyond mere nomenclature.
For the past four years, the event was titled "Heritage Day" (Día de los Patrimonios, using the plural) with the explicit goal of highlighting the diversity of cultural expressions across the country. However, Schmidt argues that this linguistic shift did not translate into substantive progress or public policies capable of guaranteeing the effective protection of the nation’s historical assets.
According to the academic, the period during which the plural name was used coincided with a stalemate in the processing of the new Heritage Law. Schmidt argues that, far from being simplified, the regulations have only become more complex and bureaucratic, hindering the management required to safeguard buildings, landscapes, crafts, traditions, and the various cultural expressions that are in urgent need of protection.
The need for institutional reform
The dean emphasizes that safeguarding heritage does not depend on the breadth of concepts or changes to the names of commemorative events. "Heritage is not protected simply by broadening concepts or changing names, but through a modern, agile institutional framework capable of balancing protection, development, and sustainability," Schmidt stated in his column published in La Tercera.
Given this scenario, the academic suggests that the return to the original name should serve as a turning point for the legislative agenda. Schmidt maintains that the proposed law must refocus on its essential purpose: establishing a solid, efficient institutional framework capable of promoting the value of Chile's diverse heritage in the face of current administrative barriers.
