This year marks the 25th anniversary of Cuenca's inclusion in the prestigious UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

To celebrate this occasion, the following events are planned:

Wednesday, November 27

On Wednesday, educational tours will be held, focusing on historical and archaeological research related to the conservation of built heritage. The tours will take place from 09:00 to 10:00 and from 11:00 to 12:00. The meeting point will be on Pasaje La Condamine in the Cruz del Vado neighborhood.

Additionaly, an exhibition title "Heritage Photograpy" will be held at the Casa de las Palomas, located at Calle Benigno Malo 6-40. The exhibition starts at 09:00.

Thursday, November 28 – ‘Mapping’ Agenda

At 17:30, a floral offering will be presented in Parque Calderón. At 18:00, artistic performances will take place on the balconies of Calle Simón Bolívar. At the same time, a 'mapping' of Cuenca Heritage will be projected at the following locations:

• Museum of Modern Art

• Church of San Sebastián

• Church of El Cenáculo

Also at 18:00, there will be a guided theatrical route of legends, from Calle Simón Bolívar to the Museum of Modern Art.

The Solemn Session will begin at 19:00 at the Museum of Modern Art. A concert in honor of Cuenca as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will be held at Parque San Sebastián at 20:00.

Friday, November 29 

On Friday, November 29, an outdoor film screening is scheduled at 19:00 at the Puente Roto.

A group of volunteers, including environmental engineer Marcelo Ullauri, who previously helped fight forest fires in the Cajas National Park, is launching an initiative to prevent the burning of "monigotes" (effigies) during the year-end celebrations in Cuenca. The goal is to reduce environmental pollution caused by the smoke from these burns.

Ullauri emphasized that the smoke from burning "monigotes" has a severe environmental impact. It not only worsens air quality and contributes to climate change, but also damages ecosystems. He explained that the smoke from these fires releases harmful substances like carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which cause acid rain and form smog. Additionally, the burning of materials such as cardboard, wood, plastics, and synthetic fabrics releases toxic gases like carbon monoxide (CO), which harms the ozone layer and intensifies the sun's UV radiation.

This week, the group plans to formally request the Amistad Club, which organizes the traditional "Años Viejos" competition, to ask participants not to burn these effigies. They will also seek support from the Federation of Neighborhoods of Cuenca and the Consortium of Rural Parochial Boards of Cuenca to join the initiative.

César Banegas, president of the Amistad Club, said that if they receive a formal request, they will consider it within their board to make a decision. He noted that environmental protection is a priority, and any proposal supporting this would be taken seriously.

The registrations for the 2024 "Años Viejos" and 2025 "Comparsas" competitions are already open, with the events scheduled for December 31, 2024, and January 5, 2025, respectively. The "Años Viejos" competition celebrates the creation of monigotes through creative and current-themed designs, a tradition that started in local families and neighborhoods and has expanded to include institutions and businesses in the city.