The Ministry of Culture of Peru announced on April 29 that it is presenting a temporary exhibition titled “Páginas que nos unen: el Universo de La Catedral” at the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura (DDC) in Callao. The exhibition highlights the history and contributions of La Catedral, which is described as the only established publishing house in the region.
According to the ministry, this initiative aims to recognize the role of local publishers in promoting reading and knowledge circulation. The event features a selection of significant publications from La Catedral, including “La última muerte del padre Blas Valera, un quipu literario” (2018) by Peter Thomas Lerche and Héctor Enrique Dávila La Torre; “Pintoras peruanas” (2024) by Reinhard Seifert; and “El verdadero rostro de Túpac Amaru (Perú, 1969–1975)” by Leopoldo Lituma Agüero. These works are noted for offering reflective perspectives on various moments in Peruvian history and culture.
La Catedral was founded by Luis Company Montes, inspired by his passion for books and knowledge dissemination. Its name references Mario Vargas Llosa’s novel “Conversación en La Catedral.” Over time, the publisher has evolved from distributing books to schools and universities to establishing itself as a platform for new literary voices.
The Ministry of Culture fosters social inclusion through heritage protection and promotion of diversity across Peru according to its official website. The ministry also utilizes decentralized facilities such as museums alongside its San Borja headquarters to support cultural programs according to its official website. As an autonomous body within the Peruvian Executive Branch according to its official website, it promotes cultural identity, combats discrimination and racism, advances intercultural dialogue according to its official website, operates under ministerial leadership according to its official website, serves communities throughout Peru according to its official website, oversees national cultural policy while encouraging diversity, heritage preservation, cultural industries for social inclusion and national identity—a mandate since its creation in 2010 according to its official website.
The exhibition is open until May 10 at Jr. Salaverry N.º 208 near Fortaleza Real Felipe from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with free admission.
