Smaller
BiggerAGN launches new institutional history book, charting its past and future
José Rafael Sosa, author, reflects on writing’s transformative power and his journey as a user of the National Archives, emphasizing his duty to document the institution’s evolution, from tackling its toughest challenges to the collective effort that has made the AGN a benchmark of public service and transparency. (Photo: AGN)
Santo Domingo.- The General Archive of the Nation (AGN) unveiled on Thursday a newly published volume titled Archivo General de la Nación: History, Present, Future, authored by journalist José Rafael Sosa. The launch, part of AGN’s 90th anniversary celebrations, highlighted the archive’s pivotal role in preserving the Dominican Republic’s documentary heritage and outlined its roadmap for continued modernization.
Structured in six historical stages, from the colonial era through contemporary transformations and into future projections, the book offers a detailed examination of AGN’s institutional, technical and ethical evolution. AGN’s head of research, Ildefonso Álvarez, praised the work for honoring the men and women who rebuilt and expanded the archive after a period of neglect, particularly noting the institutional recovery effort initiated in 2005.
Sosa, who drew on his own experiences as an AGN user, stressed the transformative power of writing to illuminate the archive’s challenges and achievements. Key chapters cover the AGN’s formal founding in 1935, the adoption of modern archival instruments, citizen movements defending documentary heritage, and the archive’s ambitious digitization and open-access initiatives.
The evening’s program also included an audiovisual presentation by media specialist Guillermo Molina Mueses, showcasing AGN’s revitalized facilities and workflows. Aquiles Julián, director general of publishing, lauded the volume as a vital tool for deepening public awareness of national identity and strengthening access to historical knowledge.
