Historians and writers from Uruguay have commended the recovery of the Guaraní-Jesuit history of Santiago, Misiones, during the recent presentation of the book “Suenan los Secretos de Santiago” at the 17th Jornada de Geohistoria Regional in Minas, Uruguay, as reported by ABC Color.
Paraguayan authors Jorge Benítez Cabral and Stella Bogarín Frutos presented their work at the academic gathering, which focused on the Jesuit Missions. Uruguayan historian Oscar Padrón Favre, from Durazno, highlighted the investigative value of the book and the significant historical heritage preserved in the former mission of Santiago. He noted that such research is especially relevant as the Jesuit missions approach the 400th anniversary of their founding process, and praised the dissemination of images and historical objects related to the Guaraní-Jesuit reductions.
Fernando Ochoteco, coordinator of the Regional Geohistory Conference from Florida, Uruguay, agreed that the book represents a valuable historical rescue of the ancient reduction of Santiago and is part of a growing movement to recover the heritage of all 30 Jesuit reductions.
Professor Luis Pacheco, a historian from Minas, described the Paraguayan participation as excellent and recalled the strong presence of Paraguayans in old Uruguayan genealogical records, even mentioning his own family ties to Paraguay.
Historian Bruno Vuan, from Mercedes, Uruguay, emphasized that the book’s presence at the conference was “not circumstantial, but substantial.” He revealed family connections to the Ímas family of Santiago, Misiones, giving the work special personal significance.
Jorge Benítez announced that the research process behind “Suenan los Secretos de Santiago” will be presented on Saturday, May 16, at 5:00 p.m. during the event “Los Museos se muestran” at the Centro Cultural del Puerto de Asunción. He also said the book will have its official launch at the Asunción International Book Fair (FIL) on May 31 at 3:00 p.m. in the Elvio Romero Auditorium, with support from Editorial El Lector.
The book was previously presented at the Museo de Itaipú Tierra Guaraní in Hernandarias and at the Ateneo de Lengua y Cultura Guaraní in Fernando de la Mora. Its first launch took place in Santiago on December 30, 2025.