Venezuela Launches “Independence 200” Publication

Coro, June 12^th 2011 (Venezuelanalysis.com) – At a joint press conference this Saturday the Venezuelan Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications launched “Independence 200” – a 4 page journal detailing Venezuela’s history since gaining independence from Spain.

As part of the Venezuelan government’s “Presidential Commission for the Commemoration of the Bicentennial” 200 editions of the journal will be produced, with every issue corresponding to a year in the country’s post-independence history and published in chronological order.

In order to “situate the reader within the epoch,” every issue will include the most important news from that year and be written as if the events had recently happened. Issues will also include fictional interviews with important historical figures and information on cultural activities of the era.

Minister of Culture, Pedro Calzadilla, stated that the publication would add a new dynamic to the “battle of ideas” by emphasising Venezuela’s rich history and national identity.

“I think that this is the first time in Venezuelan publishing history that a journal of this nature has existed. Independence 200 is going to make history” he said.

As of this Sunday copies of the journal will be distributed free of charge in 25 different daily newspapers throughout the country, as well as being accessible online at www.bicentenario.gob.ve. Compiled by a team of researchers using the National Archives and the Centre of National History, the journal will also be conserved in encyclopaedic form as a historical document and possibly converted into a book for Venezuelan school children.

This Sunday’s edition features news and history from the year 1811 and concentrates on Venezuela’s declaration of independence and the establishment of the first constitution.

“We believe that the journal ‘Independence 200’ will greatly exalt national pride and promote awareness of who we are and where we came from, the history that gave rise to our national identity,” said Andréz Izarra, Minister of Communications and Information.

In preparation for the celebrations that will take place this coming July 5^th – commemorating 200 years since Venezuela officially became the first Spanish American colony to declare itself a sovereign nation – the Venezuelan government has been organising a host of related cultural events as well as broadcasting a series of historical television programmes. According to Izarra, the journal is another way in which President Chávez is extending “historical knowledge to our people.”