Horacio Sanguinetti, Life Dedicated to Culture and Education, Dies at 90

Horacio Sanguinetti, an eminent humanist and a figure deeply connected to Argentina's cultural and educational landscape, has passed away at the age of 90. His passing marks the end of a distinguished career dedicated to the advancement of culture, education, and democratic values.

Sanguinetti, a lawyer by training from the University of Buenos Aires, also served as the general director of the Teatro Colón during Mauricio Macri's administration in Buenos Aires. His passion for education led him to various roles, from teaching to leadership positions. Notably, he served as the rector of the prestigious Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires for an impressive 23 years, following in the footsteps of his father, Florentino Sanguinetti, who also held the position.

His tenure as rector, spanning from 1983 to 2007, included a brief period as Secretary of Education for the autonomous City of Buenos Aires government under Fernando de la Rúa. During this time, he was a staunch opponent of the educational reforms proposed by the Carlos Menem government, which were later repealed.

Beyond his leadership at the Colegio Nacional, Sanguinetti was a professor of political law at the University of Buenos Aires and a member of national academies for Moral and Political Sciences and Education, which he chaired for several terms. His contributions to language and culture were recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy. He was also a passionate advocate for the University Reform of 1918, which championed principles of university autonomy, academic freedom, and shared governance.

Sanguinetti's extensive bibliography includes works on political history, legal education, and cultural studies. He authored "Los reformistas," "Los socialistas independientes," and "Curso de derecho político," among others. His deep knowledge of opera was reflected in "La ópera y la sociedad argentina" and "Los maestros cantores del siglo XX." His close connection with students and professors at the Colegio Nacional, which he affectionately called “el Colegio,” was a hallmark of his leadership.