IN STEREO

The authorities are modernising everything. They should respect the historic centre, the ‘old town’ as they call it. But what do the authorities do? Impose modernity: asphalts. For example, they have modernised Tarija Street. The only one that remains cobbled is Chuquisaca – a little part, a square or two, I think it is. The pavement as it was before was quite beautiful. Now we have lost it completely. Now, also on the subject of those responsible for this area: they do not take that primary interest in conserving the heritage. In this issue of [the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate] Conception, the priest was saying that the tower was at risk of falling. There was warning. They didn’t take interest; they did nothing. The government has run out of money because of the Dakar [Rally].

It doesn’t want to invest in more projects. In the end, they went and put an iron rod, and they thought with that, it was going to solve the problem. From there, it was giving in and giving in, until in the end the tower tilted, and they had to take it down. They had to knock it down because it was dangerous for those who walked [below]. And the same at St Christopher, the [situation with the] tiles was the same. They are heritage that cannot be touched, so they restrict us, don’t they? Even in the case of St Martín, [they said] that you have to put this floor that is colonial. I mean, if you want to do it on your own, they let you. But when they have to do it, they draw it out, draw it out… And we lose all of this. – Shirley