60 Years of the Mural "Presence of Latin America"

60 Years of the Mural "Presence of Latin America": An Icon of National Heritage and the Brotherhood of Chile and Mexico
With a full schedule of activities, the University of Concepción celebrated the 60th anniversary of the mural "Presence of Latin America" throughout 2025. This mural is one of the most emblematic works of its cultural heritage and a symbol of identity for the university community and the city. The celebration highlighted not only the artistic significance of the mural but also its profound historical, social, and Latin American meaning.

The work of a group of Chilean and Mexican painters, led by the renowned muralist Jorge González Camarena, was completed on April 11, 1965, and inaugurated and opened to the public on September 10 of the same year. This mural was declared a National Monument in the Historical Monument category in 2009.

Since the end of 2024, and with activities still planned for 2026, this anniversary is a celebration not only of the mural itself, but also a reflection of the close relationship between Mexico and Chile, nations that have consistently supported each other throughout various historical moments.

Symbol of cultural heritage

Following the 1960 earthquake that affected the southern part of the country, the “Chilean-Mexican Plan for Fraternal Cooperation” was created. Through this plan, Mexico sent immediate aid and construction materials, later adding cultural support. Murals such as Presence of Latin America, the work at the Escuela México in Chillán, and the Diego Rivera Theater in Puerto Montt are just a few examples of this cooperation.

The participation of Chilean artists Albino Echeverría Cancino and Eugenio Brito Honorato is particularly noteworthy. They were not only fundamental to the creation of Presence of Latin America, but were also invited by González Camarena to create murals in Mexico. More than a year of celebrations

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the mural "Presencia de América Latina" (Presence of Latin America), the University of Concepción (UdeC) organized a program of institutional activities, supported by initiatives originating from the community. The idea is to celebrate the artistic value of the work and generate dialogue around themes such as Latin American identity, memory, heritage, and cultural diversity.

The commemoration program for the 60th anniversary of the mural "Presencia de América Latina" was organized in conjunction with the Embassy of Mexico in Chile and sponsored by the Chilean National Cultural Heritage Service.

The Vice-Rector of Institutional Relations and Community Engagement at UdeC, Dr. Ximena Gauché Marchetti, highlighted the mural as a heritage not only of Chile, but also of Latin America. “Beyond its artistic value as a work of art—because it is one from the perspective of muralism as a technique, but also considering its meanings—it reflects internationalization, which has always been part of the university's history, and recognizes a cultural, historical, and social link between Chile and Mexico, in which the University of Concepción has played a leading role through the mural and the writers' meeting promoted by Gonzalo Rojas,” she observed.

For this reason, the anniversary celebration included a program that sought “not only to focus on the visual aspects, that is, on artistic matters. Therefore, we worked with the University of Concepción Cultural Corporation (Corcudec) and the theater program, which also involved relevant local actors,” highlighted Moira Délano Urrutia, Director of Institutional Relations and AlumniUdeC.

Délano explained that they considered incorporating initiatives proposed and organized by members of the university community, centered around programmatic themes that allowed them to express the institutional approach and perspective of the commemoration, based on three pillars: Latin American Identities and their Borders; Latin American Cultural Diversity and Coexistence; and Art, Memory, and Heritage.

Among the most important events in this calendar of activities are the International Academic Meeting “The Historic Collaborative Relationship between Mexico and Chile”; the virtual tour of the Mural Presence of Latin America (which brought together people from various countries and can be enjoyed in its entirety at this link); the Chamber Concert “Two Hearts and a Bolero” – A Musical Encounter between Chile and Mexico; the Symphonic Concerts in homage to the Mural, held at the UdeC Theater in November 2024 and at the Forum in January 2025; and the play performed by the theater program and prominent local artists.

Bringing the Mural Closer to the Entire Community

Given the importance of the mural and all the works exhibited at the Casa del Arte (House of Art), the University of Concepción initiated a cycle of continuous improvements in inclusion. Based on the objectives of the Institutional Strategic Plan (PEI), under the Community Engagement and Inclusion Policies, and with the guidance of Includec, the “Inclusive Art Gallery” initiative was born.

Three projects have already been implemented: video guide systems, a tactile map at the entrance, and the Lazarillo app, which allows for georeferencing so that blind people can access all floors of the building. The tool displays information about what is open to the public in the building. “For example, the sculpture by Totila Albert, donated by the University of Chile for its centennial, will indicate its location. Information will be provided on how to reach the mural *Presencia de América Latina* (Presence of Latin America), as well as the exhibitions, and audio descriptions of what is in each room,” explained Javier Ramírez Hinrichsen, Director of the UdeC Art Gallery.

Dr. Gauché believes it is essential to highlight the importance of the mural and make it accessible to everyone, as, in her view, it offers multiple interpretations. These range from the struggle for independence of Latin American countries and their conquests to the role of women. In this way, this work becomes a cornerstone of the University of Concepción's outreach efforts through the José Clemente Orosco House of Art.

“In recent years, we have been working on developing it as a university museum space. Through curatorial efforts and our relationships with various other institutions, we have managed to connect our heritage with the community,” he added.

In this way, the University of Concepción plans to install an exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Mural Presence of Latin America at the José Clemente Orozco House of Art in the first half of 2026. The exhibition will feature a wide array of documents, photographs, and objects used from its inception to the present day.

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