Former Place of Memory director Manuel Burga has accused Peruvian Culture Minister Alberto Beingolea of being ill-informed over claims that the museum creates national division.
Writing on social media platform X, historian Burga rejected assertions by Beingolea that the institution had become a source of conflict. Burga stated that the minister's comments lacked factual support, served to deepen national divisions, and alienated citizens from regions hit hardest by internal violence.
The dispute follows comments made by Beingolea during an interview with broadcaster RPP, in which the minister claimed the museum had failed to foster national reconciliation. Beingolea argued that the institution had achieved the opposite of its founding purpose and said changes were necessary, having previously asserted that Peruvian culture had long been controlled by political left-wing groups.
Reconciliation Efforts and Historical Conflict
The Place of Memory, Tolerance and Social Inclusion, known as LUM, is a national museum in Lima established to commemorate victims of the internal armed conflict that affected Peru between 1980 and 2000. The two-decade conflict involved state security forces and insurgent organizations, primarily the Shining Path militant group.
Burga noted that LUM has actively hosted events focused on healing and reparation between victims and conflict actors. He highlighted community initiatives in the southern region of Ayacucho, where local peasant patrols that fought terrorism now organize pampachanakuy, traditional public ceremonies centered on confession and mutual forgiveness.
The former director pointed to encounters documented at the museum, including the story of Ayacucho anthropologist Lurgio Gavilán and Lieutenant Shogún, an officer who saved Gavilán's life when he was a child member of the Shining Path. Burga also cited the account of Rogger Cayllahua from the village of Chuschi, who searched for decades after his father Martín was abducted by a military unit in 1991, eventually forgiving the former officer involved, who now resides in the Nuevo Amanecer settlement.
Debate Over Ministry Control
The clash over the museum's role coincides with a debate over its administrative oversight. Beingolea denied reports that management of LUM would transfer from the Ministry of Culture to the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, telling RPP on Monday that no formal discussions had taken place and maintaining that all national museums properly belong under the culture portfolio.
However, Justice Minister Ernesto Álvarez publicly advocated for transferring administrative authority of the museum to his ministry. Speaking to the newspaper Correo, Álvarez argued that because the museum addresses topics related to the fight against terrorism, oversight should fall under justice officials. Álvarez subsequently promoted a public petition supporting the transfer signed by 21 figures, including former cabinet ministers and former lawmakers.
