IN STEREO

Look, when [Potosí] was declared World Heritage, it was satisfying, nice, great to have that award. But I don’t know, I don’t understand what they give when they give recognition for Potosí. It would have been nice [to get something out of it], of course, because we have nothing. I agree that it is not convenient what UNESCO has declared. For example, to maintain what needs to be [maintained]. I always say, “What do we have for it? What does Potosí get?” That is the question that I pose: “What’s the point?” Obviously, tourists come, but I really do not know more than that. I believe that it stays colonial for the tourists. The way to the centre, for example, could be modified by houses and other things if it was not ‘heritage’. I see it that way, right? Making good avenues would be nice.

But since they are declared heritage, it’s not possible. So it’s still the same narrow, uncomfortable streets. I have been to Sucre several times. Sucre is also heritage, but Sucre has widened the streets regardless. Here in Potosí, we continue like a mouse burrow, [with] the narrow streets. In the centre, it’s chaos. So on days when I work in a taxi, I do not enter the centre, because I waste time. Now they say it will be pedestrian and, in the end, they will do it. Those of us who live here in Potosí don’t know what will come out of it – will there be tourists who come to visit? There must be [some] economic [benefit] also. Sure, of course there is – but only to a point. I really don’t see how it’s beneficial. Nothing colonial should be declared heritage. – Don Dario