The temporary exhibition "Uruguay in Guarani.Indigenous Missionary Presence" faces its last days in the Archaeological Museum of Alicante, where it will remain for the next few days. until next Sunday 8 January. Since it opened its doors at the end of June, around 65,000 people have visited this interesting collection at the MARQ, which is composed of more than thirty pieces of polychrome wood The religious-themed paintings made by the indigenous missionaries in the foundations of the Society of Jesus, located north of the Río Negro.
The exhibition, which is on display at the Noble Room of the Library of the museumoffers the public the opportunity to discover the exciting history of the founding of these missionary towns located to the north of present-day Uruguayan territory, where the Jesuits carried out intense pedagogical work during the 17th century, collaborating with and protecting, for the most part, groups of Guaraní farmers. In addition, one of the strategies used by the Jesuits to facilitate the conversion of the indigenous people was linked to the massive reproduction of religious images.
In this regard, the deputy for Culture and Education, César Augusto Asenciohas pointed out that "the pedagogical seed sown by the Jesuits generated the so-called indigenous missionaries, a group of people with aboriginal physical features and western behaviour who came to form a socio-economic system of their own. Thanks to their ability to carve wood, they managed to create works of art of enormous beauty and symbolism, the result of the learning and knowledge of artisans who reproduced techniques and models of Catholic iconography on a massive scale.".
The end of the Jesuit project came with the publication of the Pragmatic Sanction of 1767. by which King Charles III expelled them from all the dominions of the Spanish Crown, including those overseas, and closed their missions, handing them over to Spanish administrators dependent on the colonial government.The Jesuits were replaced by other orders.The Jesuits, such as the Mercedarians, the Franciscans and the Benedictines, continued the educational plan originally laid out by the Society of Jesus.
Asencio, who encouraged all citizens to visit this exhibition, reminded that ".The Alicante Provincial Council, in its desire to bring culture closer to all citizens, makes an important effort to bring collections of great historical and heritage value to the MARQ and other museums in the province. Likewise, thanks to this type of international exhibitions, it is able to offer a complementary quality product that helps to enrich the tourist offer that the Costa Blanca treasures.".
The exhibition is completed by a selection of archaeological materials from the extinct village of San Francisco de Borja del Yí (1833-1862). Through these objects, of great testimonial and documentary value, the visitor will be able to perceive the impact of the Jesuit missionary system on daily life and the social processes that took place in the Uruguayan territory from the 18th century onwards.
"Uruguay in Guaraní. Missionary indigenous presence". is particularly notable for the presence of adapted elements to facilitate access to content for people with disabilitiesThe exhibition will include reproductions of pieces in three dimensions and texts in Braille. The exhibition, which has been declared of National InterestThe exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Museo de Arte Precolombino e Indígena de Montevideo, its Foundation, the Municipality of Montevideo and the Embassy of Uruguay in Spain.
