San Andrés Cultural Center preserves archipelago oral history

The Banco de la República Cultural Center in San Andrés is working to preserve the history and identity of the San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina archipelago. Through its specialized library and collections, the center focuses on oral traditions and the preservation of ancestral knowledge.

A key component of this effort is the Center for Oral Memories, an initiative designed to collect and disseminate testimonies, songs, stories, and daily practices shared by community elders. By documenting these Creole narratives and traditional customs, the center aims to protect cultural heritage that might otherwise be lost and ensure that new generations understand the history of the islands through lived experiences.