During the first half of 2024, the activity and interest of citizens in Quito’s rivers have intensified. Here’s a summary of Samayuio, Spirit of the Quito River’s participation in various events from March to May.
World Water Day in Quito: March 22, 2024
Quito held World Water Day on March 22 with multiple events around the city, especially two activities where Samayuio was pleased to participate.
“The Water Days” organized by the Public Metropolitan Water and Sanitation Company, EPMAPS, and the Quito Water Protection Fund, FONAG, took place in various locations from March 20 to 22. Samayuio actively participated with a talk on the project’s conceptual focus. Monica Aguilar, its creator, urged the audience to reflect on the past, present, and future of the city’s rivers, highlighting the importance of their cleanup and recovery for collective well-being. Watch the video of the talk here (in Spanish):
At the Quito Botanical Garden, the Minga Mundial Foundation celebrated World Water Day with an exhibition and workshop on the River Loom on March 22 and 23. Camola Valarezo invited attendees to continue the community weaving around the city’s rivers and presented works created by previous workshop participants. These were fruitful days, raising awareness about the importance of collectively recovering our waters.
Photos by Paula Calderón, PUCE Tec.
Global Minga at Los Algarrobos Park: April 20, 2024
The first global minga for rivers took place on all five continents on Saturday, April 20. In Quito, the epicenter was Los Algarrobos Park in Cumbaya, where for the past four years, the San Pedro River Rescue Group has invited the community to join a minga to clean the riverbank. Monica Aguilar participated in this event with her “Fotofilia” activity, inviting attendees to engage in introspective photography and uncover the river’s message for their lives. After the minga and its activities, all attendees took part in a closing ritual to align coherence and commitment to collaborative efforts for the well-being of Quito’s rivers and our own.
Photos by Paula Calderón, PUCE Tec.
Film Forums: “The Life of a River”
Launch at the University of San Francisco de Quito: April 25, 2024
The official launch of the documentary “The Life of a River,” created by Jorge Anhalzer and Naia Andrade, took place on April 25 at the Shakespeare Theater at USFQ in Quito. The event featured special guests and a post-screening forum reflecting on the importance of restoring the city’s rivers’ health compared to that of its inhabitants. In the event’s lobby, several artistic and academic works focusing on the rivers’ health and their relevance to the city were displayed. Samayuio was present with its photographic series and the River Loom, contributing to this shared mission.
Forum at the Equinoctial Technological University, UTE: May 9, 2024
The documentary “The Life of a River” has traveled through various academic institutions, making a significant positive impact that supports the cause of restoring the city’s rivers. The event, held a day after the launch of the book “Filtering Ecosystems” by Yakunina, featured one of the book’s authors, Miguel Torske, and Samayuio‘s creator, Monica Aguilar, who shared the project’s journey and her perspectives on the future of the city’s rivers.
Photos by Paula Calderón, PUCE Tec.
Forum at the College of Architects of Ecuador, Pichincha Chapter: May 21, 2024
As part of the film forum “The Life of a River” at the College of Architects, Pichincha Chapter, Samayuio was present with a showcase of its photographic series and cultural work alongside “The Curiosity Booth” and “Yakunina“.
Exhibition and educational talks by Samayuio at La Condamine School: May 20th – 29th, 2024
Thanks to the kind invitation of La Condamine School, Monica Aguilar, creator of Samayuio, was pleased to present the photographic exhibition and an interactive talk to the students about the past, present, and future of the city’s rivers. The project’s conceptual axes and educational content are part of the creative workshops launched during the second half of 2023. During the talks, student groups learned about the nearest body of water to their school, which rivers flow through Quito’s Historic Center, how they form, and the importance of recovering them for common well-being. Additionally, they had the opportunity to connect sensitively with these rivers to enhance recovery from a deeper emotional place.
Photos by Paula Calderón, PUCE Tec.
We appreciate the kind invitations to be part of these events. Samayuio aims to contribute to the conscious and profound cause of reclaiming our original water paths for the community and collective good.