On April 18th, the University of Cauca took part in the emblematic Good Friday Procession, one of the most important religious and cultural expressions in Colombia — an event that UNESCO declared in 2009 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The University’s Rector, Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, together with members of the administrative team and the two students with the highest academic performance, honored this important tradition by joining this solemn occasion in the city.

The participation of the University of Cauca in the Good Friday Procession undoubtedly reaffirms the Alma Mater’s commitment to the traditions that have shaped Popayán’s identity. It also represents recognition of the crucial role that the institution plays in the region’s cultural, social, and spiritual development. “Holy Week is fundamental to this city, just as the University of Cauca is. For us, it is an honor to receive this recognition, which allows the institution to participate in the Good Friday Procession,” stated Rector Deibar René Hurtado Herrera. He also took the opportunity to denounce the violence still present in the region, recalling the attack with explosives that occurred on Holy Thursday in the town of Mondomo: “Despite these painful events that seek to intimidate us, people continue to resist violence, striving to build, to live with dignity, and to seek ways to encounter and recognize others who are different, especially in a week that feels profoundly special beyond religious beliefs.”

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Likewise, Manuela Piedrahita Meneses, a fifth-semester student of the Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Spanish Language Teaching, shared her joy at being called to participate in the procession as recognition for her outstanding academic achievements: “I’m very happy and truly honored to see all the hard work I’ve done being recognized. It’s also the result of the effort my mother and family have invested in me.” She concluded with a message to young people considering a career in education: “It’s a beautiful vocation, where you must love deeply in order to teach with love. Though it is a demanding profession, it is incredibly rewarding and valuable, because we are the ones who will help shape future generations.”

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Meanwhile, Andrés Rodríguez Ortiz, a Law student, highlighted: “This moment means everything to me, because I am passionate about Holy Week. Ever since I was a child, I saw the best students participate in the processions, and I dreamed of being there. It means even more because behind this small achievement there’s a group of people I love, who love me and have been my support throughout this journey. It’s the perfect way to close my university chapter.”
Both Manuela and Andrés carried sacred symbols — the crown of thorns and the nails — during the procession, representing sacrifice and faith. Their participation, marked by academic excellence, reflects the strong sense of responsibility and values that the University of Cauca instills in its students as part of their education.

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Thus, the presence of this house of thought — which is truly #HeritageForAll — in this procession not only honors a celebration declared by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, but also strengthens the bonds between academia and the community. It reminds us that knowledge and culture must walk hand in hand for the collective well-being, recognizing and respectfully embracing different perspectives and worldviews — for it is precisely this diversity that enriches us all.

 

Written by: Communications Management Center