On July 2, 2003, Valparaiso, the city in Chile first received its special designation as World Heritage from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Upon the eve of its 11th anniversary, the city has organized a special program of events in celebration, open to both visitors and residents, alike.

During the month, the port city will highlight its open-air museum quality, being a unique cultural and artistic space where the past has merged with contemporary time – a result of its multicultural population and special history as one of South America’s largest ports. Nicknamed the “The Jewel of the Pacific,” the city’s many seaside hills form a colorful architectural amphitheater, which has inspired many painters, architects, designers, musicians and even nobel laurate poets such as Pablo Neruda.

The city is planning to celebrate its special designation throughout the month of July with events in a number of different sectors, and a host of family-friendly programming, including seminars, exhibitions, competitions, concerts, culturally-themed productions, and even a heritage gala.