By Jaqueline Quesada / Translated by Samai Páez

"We all are heritage in motion and we must think about how important we are" – Doris Helena Rojas

The 16th edition of "Heritage in Motion," held on November 27 and 28 and organized by the Entre Soles y Lunas Foundation (ESL)this year marked the official launch of "Living Wool"an initiative that seeks to promote the production and responsible use of wool in Latin America. The event began with the participation of key personalities and institutions for the development of the project. Doris Helena Rojas, General Director of the Entre Soles y Lunas Foundation, welcomed and presented the project. International representatives also participated, such as the Consul of Uruguay in Colombia,, Juan Manuel Ciganda, and Soledad Marazzano of the Intendencia de Salto, who shared their country's experience in the valorization of wool.

Day One: Tradition and Sustainability in the Wool Industry

The first day focused on the richness of the textile heritage and the current challenges of the sector. Ms. Magdalena Rocanova,head of communication of the Uruguayan Wool Secretariat, highlighted the recent declaration of wool as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Uruguay. 

Textile designer Jackeline Marin Kuan and Silvia Rojas, Secretary of Culture of the municipality of Iza, Boyacá, showed how Boyacá's ancestral traditions are integrated into contemporary textile art. Also, María Mercedes Peña and Gloria Duque, from Corporación para el Desarrollo de Caldas, presented the project "Marulanda, treasure and tradition of Caldas," which promotes traditional textile techniques with an emphasis on sustainability.

Marco Antonio Pabón, from Corporación para el Desarrollo de Caldas, presented the project "Marulanda, treasure and tradition of Caldas," which promotes traditional textile techniques with an emphasis on sustainability. Alba Sánchez Quintero and Aurora Quintero talked about their project in the Sierras of Boyacá, promoting the sustainable use of wool and the well-being of indigenous communities.

In parallel, Diana Constanza Pérez and designer Paula Forero presented a proposal on the use of geothermal energy for wool washing, focused on clean processes that guarantee the quality of production. Finally, Mateo Esteban Jiménez Molina, professor at CUN (University), highlighted the need to include noble materials such as wool in fashion design training processes.

Day Two: Regenerative Economy and New Approaches

The second day began again with the intervention of Doris Helena Rojaswho presented the concept of "spiral economy", a regenerative model that analyzes the cycles of production and consumption of products, proposing that everything that remains of the processes, including waste, becomes new raw material to start a new cycle. Rojas emphasized that wool is one of the most regenerative and beneficial materials for the well-being of the body when worked properly.

Jessica Millán Peñuelafrom SENA, presented the Mesa Sectorial de Artesanías (Sectorial Table of Crafts,) a strategy to close the gaps of human talent in the artisan sector through specialized programs. Prominent artisans such as Tejidos Rebanca, Tejidos Rodríguez Alba and Tejedores de Chinchorros.

The next segment was presented by Bryan Quan, Lanificio di Livenza's representative in Guatemala, who addressed wool's impact on the luxury industry. Then, Paola Ruiz Jurado, veterinarian of Cardolan, presented the advances in the preservation of sheep genetics in Colombia and the use of biotechnology to improve wool production.

Giovanni Maria Conti, from the Politecnico di Milano, shared his experience in the wool industry and how Italy can be linked to the "Living Wool" project to enrich the value chain in Latin America. While Juliana Eraso Cháves presented a more spiritual and cosmogonic perspective in her lecture "Tejido vivo, con hebras vivas," which explored the connection between animals, the environment and Andean textile culture.

Angélica María González Flórez, professor at CUN, addressed the benefits of organic dyeing compared to traditional chemical processes, which pollute wastewater. Subsequently, Paloma Catalina Sandoval and Emma Judith Salamanca, anthropologists and researchers, presented their research on the revitalization of the Nobsa weaving company, Boyacá.

At the end, the presentation of LNAVRGN, a brand led by Carolina Álvarez that combines traditional craft techniques with a sustainable luxury approach, positively impacting the families of Boyacá.

On both days, the event closed with a private conversation between the speakers, with the aim of discussing how "Living Wool" will continue to generate activation and collective participation to enhance wool production, especially in the communities involved in the project.

"Heritage in Motion" reaffirmed its commitment to the revaluation of cultural heritage, demonstrating how the integration of tradition and innovation can be key for a sustainable development.