The Embassy of Peru awarded last Monday the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services, at the rank of Grand Officer, to Dr. Esther Cruces Blanco, a prominent historian, archivist, and director of the General Archive of the Indies, in recognition of her valuable contribution to the preservation and dissemination of the documentary heritage related to the history of Peru.
The ceremony was held at the residence of the Embassy of Peru in Madrid and was presided over by the ambassador of Peru, Luis Iberico Núñez, who highlighted Dr. Cruces’ professional trajectory and her “permanent commitment to cultural cooperation between both countries.”
During his speech, Ambassador Iberico emphasized that this distinction recognizes “an exemplary professional trajectory and, at the same time, an especially valuable institutional friendship for Peru, built on cultural cooperation, academic rigor, and commitment to preserving our shared historical memory.”
Furthermore, the Peruvian ambassador particularly highlighted the role played by Dr. Cruces in projects for the valuation and digitization of historical documents linked to the Viceroyalty and the independence process of the South American country. Among them, the project Cataloging and digitization of documents in the General Archive of the Indies on the Independence of Peru, 1804-1823, executed by the General Archive of the Nation of Peru and financed by Iberarchivos, thanks to which more than 20,000 images of fundamental historical documents for researchers and citizens were digitized. Also, Luis Iberico recognized her support for cultural and academic initiatives related to Peru, including the exhibition Books and authors in the Viceroyalty of Peru. The legacy of literate culture until Independence, organized jointly by Peruvian and Spanish institutions.
The General Archive of the Indies, based in Seville, is one of the main documentary institutions for the study of the common history between Spain and Latin America. From this institution, Dr. Cruces has promoted public access, research, and international archival cooperation.
With this distinction, they indicate from the Embassy, Peru expresses its gratitude for a career dedicated to conserving, studying, and bringing to new generations a history that deeply unites Peruvians and Spaniards.