Last weekend, the Spanish Committee of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites; international non-governmental organization associated with UNESCO) held its 2023 ordinary general assembly in Alicante. On Saturday the 11th, at Casa Mediterráneo, the Technical Conference entitled «Agrarian Heritage in the Mediterranean: a transversal perspective from the international conventions and programs of UNESCO and FAO» took place.

On Sunday the 12th and as a complementary activity, the Committee paid a visit to Elche, where it was able to enjoy the three UNESCO awards that our city has. Together with the visit to the palm grove and the Basilica of Santa María and the Museo de la Festa, the members of ICOMOS traveled to the Puçol School Museum, where they learned first-hand about the peculiarity of our educational-museum project. There they were received by the director of the Museum, Rafa Martínez, by the Vice President of the Association, Maruja Sabuco, and by a large group of esparto and palm braiders, made up of women and men from Camp d'Elx, Crevillent and of Espartalacant. Thanks to the Associació per al Desenvolupament Rural (ADR) and its director, Marga Guilló, they were presented with a simple snack, in which there was no shortage of different types of coca. For her part, Maruja Sabuco made some white lapel palms, which she gave to each of the visitors as the culmination of an endearing act in which we all had a great time.

Author: Rafa Martínez, director of the Puçol Project.