Volunteers rescue Lara plaza amid government neglect

In Lara, Venezuela, a group of dedicated volunteers, local merchants, and the protocol team from the Alirio Díaz Theater have taken it upon themselves to rescue the Monseñor Montes de Oca plaza. Faced with the "little or no attention" from government entities, these citizens decided to act proactively.

Armed with tools, brooms, and machetes, the volunteers tackled the plaza's progressive deterioration. They cleared overgrown vegetation, removed solid waste, and performed general maintenance. This effort has transformed the once-neglected space into a more secure and dignified environment for the daily influx of passersby, artists, and visitors to the nearby theater.

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This initiative is born from the genuine concern of our staff, volunteers, and commercial allies seeing the accumulated deterioration in the area. We have decided to act directly given the little or no attention that government entities have shown towards the Monseñor Montes de Oca plaza and the theater itself, which represent a living heritage and a bulwark of our identity.

Luis Carrasco, director of the Alirio Díaz Theater, emphasized the significance of this community-driven effort. "This initiative is born from the genuine concern of our staff, volunteers, and commercial allies seeing the accumulated deterioration in the area," he stated. He highlighted that the plaza and theater represent a "living heritage and a bulwark of our identity."

Carrasco acknowledged that the upkeep of such public spaces should not solely rely on volunteer work. However, he praised the "civic maturity" of the citizens who stepped forward. He issued a broader call for community involvement in the custody, preservation, and appreciation of public heritage, underscoring that the city's care is a shared responsibility among all its inhabitants.

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The care of the city is a task that concerns all its inhabitants.