History can also become a space for understanding the present. With that idea in mind, we opened our doors to an academic gathering devoted to examining the figure of General José de San Martín and the mark he left on Guayaquil and on the independence of the Americas.
In the David Samaniego Torres auditorium at our Guayaquil Campus, we held the historians’ panel discussion “The Legacy of the Liberator General San Martín and His Influence on Guayaquil,” in tribute to the anniversary of the Argentine hero’s passing into immortality. The event brought together diplomatic representatives, historians, academic authorities, administrators and special guests to discuss one of the episodes that strengthened the historical ties between Argentina and Ecuador.
In his opening remarks, our president, Dr. Joaquín Hernández Alvarado, highlighted the role of universities as institutions entrusted with preserving and passing on collective memory. “We universities are charged with being the historical memory of our country and our region, which is why an event like today’s is part of our academic and professional growth,” he said.
Dr. Hernández also emphasized San Martín’s significance, noting that to speak of the Liberator is to speak of one of the essential figures of South American independence, whose involvement made a decisive contribution to shaping the history of the region.
This event holds special meaning for us as we mark our 20 years as an institution. Over these two decades, we have built a track record tied to education, professional training and the creation of spaces for critical thinking and dialogue.
Diplomats and historians reflect on the Liberator’s legacy
We were also joined by the Consul of Argentina, Federico Kalbermatten; San Martín historian Víctor Hugo Arellano; the secretary of the Guayaquil chapter of the National Academy of History, Magno Marriott Barreto; and Adolf Sobrevilla, lifetime honorary president of the Sanmartinian Institute of Peru, who took part virtually.
In his remarks, the Argentine consul stressed the importance of keeping San Martín’s legacy and his relationship with Guayaquil alive. “Remembering General San Martín in Guayaquil is not only a tribute to an event of the past, but a reaffirmation of the values of unity, freedom and a calling to serve that guided the independence of our Americas,” he said.
San Martín in Guayaquil and South American independence
Every August 17, Argentina commemorates the Passing into Immortality of General José de San Martín, who died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in 1850. Regarded as one of the leading figures of South American independence, he led campaigns that helped bring about the emancipation of Argentina, Chile and Peru.
In Guayaquil, his figure holds a special historical bond. On July 26 and 27, 1822, San Martín and Simón Bolívar held the well-known Guayaquil Conference, an episode that is part of the memory of American independence and remains depicted in the iconic Hemiciclo de la Rotonda, where the two liberators are shown shaking hands.
Beyond recalling a historical episode, the panel posed a challenge for new generations: to keep alive the meaning of those processes of freedom, unity and Latin American integration. In that sense, the message to young people was clear: defend freedom as one of the fundamental values for human development and contribute actively to society.
At ECOTEC, we explore our history, culture and academic thought; we lead conversations that bring different viewpoints together, and we turn knowledge into new perspectives for the generations now learning in our classrooms. At the same time, we strengthen the ties that bind Ecuador and Argentina through Guayaquil.
