proposed transforming the buildings into the new institutions that exist today . Finally , at the end of 2007 , the final eviction of the remaining Navyoccupied buildings was achieved . On 20 November of that year , a new agreement was signed by President Néstor Kirchner and then-Mayor of the City , Jorge Telerman , continuing the accords from 2004 , and establishing the creation of the Public Entity for the Space for Memory and for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights .
The former ESMA is the most notable Clandestine Detention Centre of the civicmilitary dictatorship ( 1976 – 1983 ), not only due to its historical significance but also because of the national and international projection of the current site of memory . How does this influence its relationship with other spaces of memory from the dictatorship ? Does it assume any leadership or co-management with any of them ? At what level ?
MG : Although the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory has a different institutional dependency than other spaces of memory in Argentina - since it is under the Human Rights Secretariat , whereas some other sites depend on the National Directorate of Sites , provinces , or municipalities - the connection and dialogue are fluid . There is no comanagement model , but rather a close relationship with joint participation in some actions and initiatives . Specifically , regarding the Museum and Site of Memory ’ s nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List , we received unanimous support from the Memory Spaces in our country . In this context , we organised working meetings with all of them and are currently seeking avenues for mutual cooperation and collaboration .
The former ESMA is part of a network of spaces of memory whose very existence serves as evidence in transitional justice processes . How is such a responsibility managed ? How is this idea reflected in the museographic and / or educational approach ?
MG : Since its inauguration , the Site-Museum has ensured that the building retains its unaltered condition , to preserve its status as judicial evidence and allow access to new discoveries , relying on the reversibility of the museographic display . Construction marks , inscriptions , and objects found in the building have been recorded , identified , and classified according to the conservation protocol of the National Directorate of Sites of Memory and validated by testimonies and documents admitted as judicial evidence . In addition , at the museographic level , the protocols used during the monitoring and supervision of the Site-Museum ’ s works were endorsed by conservation experts , the Human Rights Organisations Advisory Council , and National Criminal Court No . 12 , which remains responsible for safeguarding and preserving the judicial evidence at the ESMA . Therefore , maintaining a fluid and ongoing dialogue with this court is essential . At an educational level , the status of judicial evidence and the actions of preservation are conveyed to visitors within the framework of memory pedagogy that we develop through guided , self-guided , or audioguided tours . Indeed , safeguarding a site that could serve as evidence for the conviction of perpetrators and genociders is an enormous , unique , and unparalleled responsibility .
In reference to this , spaces of memory that address recent historical events must confront the potential relationship with both the collective of perpetrators and that of bystanders . How is this issue dealt with at the former ESMA ?
MG : In the Golden Hall ( in the tour , it corresponds to the room where the visit concludes ), the faces of the perpetrators are displayed in an audiovisual device that details the accusations and convictions . The content presented at the Site-Museum has the weight of being based on the testimonies of survivors provided to the judiciary , which form the foundation of the information displayed in the various rooms . The purpose of the Site-Museum , since its creation decree , is to convey what happened at the Clandestine Centre , its causes , and its consequences .
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Observing Memories Issue 8