Juan Cordero and his 3 new volumes of the History of Cuenca

As a tribute to the author this work exalts the 150 years of the U. of Cuenca, the 200 years of the Bicentennial of the Independence of this city and the Golden Jubilee of the UDA.

The launch of the three new volumes of the work "History of Cuenca and its region", written by Juan Cordero Iñiguez, chronicler of this city, held last night at the Teatro Sucre, had special connotations, for the literary tribute expressed by the author to the public institutions that made this new publication possible and the presentation made by the rectors of the Universidad del Azuay and the University of Cuenca of their respective sponsored works.
The work, which covers much of the history of Cuenca and the surrounding region, chronologically covers from the year of 1822 to the first half of the twentieth century, explains the author, remembering that its publication was possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Municipality of Cuenca, the University of Cuenca and the University of Azuay.

Contents
The content of volume VII covers a period that the author calls Cuenca in the first century of independent life, from the year of 1822 to 1895. In turn, this is distributed in eight chapters, which begin with an introduction of Cuenca in Gran Colombia, its development in the Republic of Colombia, among other aspects, such as the streets that existed in the city, a report from the governor, issues military, police, health, education.
On the other hand, chapter II brings descriptions of Cuenca and its region, from the year 1848 to 1849, which also deals with the experiences of the city in different periods.
Chapter III is dedicated to Cuenca in the Floreana era, which goes from 1830 to 1845, at the beginning of the independent life of the city. In this part, outstanding facts are mentioned, such as the economic situation, craft workshops and toquilla straw hats, Church and State, Education and Culture, the Basin Convention and the Fourth Constitution, among other topics.
Volume VIII goes from the appearance of Liberalism to the celebration of the 400 years of foundation of Cuenca, that is, from 1897 to 1957. in this volume are data of Eloy Alfaro Delgado, the "alfarada" in Cuenca; the appearance of characters and heroes such as Antonio Vega Muñoz, as leader; the city life in the last 25 years of the XIX century.
While in volume XIX, dedicated to the shapers of the Cuenca identity, the author mentions people born in the eighteenth century with notable activities completed in the nineteenth century; develops semblanzas of some characters, culminating in a gallery of portraits. (JAE) - (I)

Tribute of the author
As a special deference to his sponsors, Juan Cordero appreciates the kind collaboration of the three institutions that made possible the publication of these three new volumes of the Work "History of Cuenca and its region", cultural project of which three more volumes are still to be elaborated , shares the author, who hopes to bring them to light in the not too distant future.
VOL. VII. History of Cuenca and its region. From Gran Colombia to Progresismo. 1822- 1895. Dedicated to the Sesquicentennial of the foundation of the University of Cuenca.
VOL. VIII. History of Cuenca and its region. From Liberalism to the Fourth Centenary of its Foundation. 1895- 1957. With this work the Bicentennial of the Independence of Cuenca is proclaimed.
VOL. IX. History of Cuenca and its region. Forjadores de la Identidad Cuencana. Outstanding people who have worked in Cuenca between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th. Work dedicated to the Golden Jubilee of the University of Azuay.

Presentation of the rectors of the sponsoring universities
During the presentation of the volumes of the "History of Cuenca and its region" the rector of the University of Azuay, Francisco Salgado, who praised the intellectual work of Juan Cordero, who in Volume XIX highlights around 500 people from the era, among which the rector to the disappeared Monsignor Luis Alberto Luna Tobar, Dr. Edgar Rodas Andrade, stood out. 
For his part, the rector of the University of Cuenca, Pablo Vanegas, besides highlighting the intellectual contribution to Cuenca of these works that are part of a great historical and intellectual project that remains to be concluded. 
Vanegas also recalled illustrious figures who left their mark of idealist and libertarian spirit and whose courageous actions were the seed of the Independence of Cuenca, such as Francisco Salazar y Piedra, the Cuenca mayor who refused to pay tributes to the governor of his time, so he later suffered the consequences and died like a hero.