By Gerardo Díaz

As part of celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of the founding of the city of Rosarito Beach, a ceremony was held to inaugurate the Hall of Presidents (Mayors) at the historical archive located in the commercial plaza of Ejido Mazatlán.

The inauguration was led by Mayor Araceli Brown Figueredo and attended by former mayors Hugo Torres and Luis Enrique Díaz Félix, among other guests.

“Twenty-nine years ago, a group of residents achieved our city’s independence after a hard-fought struggle lasting more than 13 years, transforming it from a neglected delegation of Tijuana into what is now the fifth municipality of Baja California,” said Mayor Araceli Brown in her speech.

The Hall of Presidents is a gallery featuring photos of former mayors Silvano Abarca Macklis, Luis Enrique Díaz Félix, José Antonio Macías Garay, Hugo Torres Chabert, Javier Robles Aguirre, Mirna Cecilia Rincón Vargas, and the current president, Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo.

It also includes a photo of the city council and a commemorative plaque listing the delegates. This hall is dedicated to the men and women who have shaped our history and through their efforts have transformed the city.

After a welcome message, the National Anthem and the Flag Honors were performed by Verónica Lara Ponce, followed by an emotional message from the Director of the Municipal Institute of Art and Culture, Agustín Gama Pérez.

As part of the program, a conference titled “29 Years of Municipalization” was presented by Bernado Saldaña Téllez, president of the Rosaritense Society of History, to a full house at the Historical Archive Forum.

“With the creation of the Hall of Presidents, we have managed to capture a significant part of our municipality’s history in this small space, through the images of the municipal presidents who are and will always be an important part of our history.

“The Hall of Presidents is a space for the enjoyment of all Rosarito residents, and the gallery is open to the public during office hours,” said the coordinator of the historical archive, Javier Velazco Amarillas.