* This beloved lady was one of the greatest representatives of true “Valencianidad,” in its positive and current acceptance.
By: Denis Miraldo
The most genuine Valencian identity loses one of its most beloved and productive exponents, such as Libia Durán, plastic artist, teacher and dressmaker from Nuestra Señora del Socorro, who left this January 7, after a decompensation due to complications from scoliosis of the column.
Brand new Queen of the Valencia Carnival in 1962, she served for years as a dedicated teacher at the Josefina Coronil School of Specialties and a worker at the Bank of Venezuela for more than three decades, until reaching the position of deputy manager.
She participated in a large number of exhibitions and was a renowned manualist, as well as a member of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady of Help and responsible for making accessories, such as rostrillos and tear cloths, for the Patroness of Valencia.
Born on March 31 in the center of Valencia, and with business studies, she graduated in 2012 from the Arturo Michelena School of Plastic Arts, and, recently, she had achieved a degree in Education at the Libertador Experimental Pedagogical University -UPEL-.
He also belonged to the Friends of Valencia Society and the “Jesús Marrero” Nativity Scene Society, which is why the visited manger in his house in the Prebo urbanization is considered of high heritage value in the capital of Carabobo.
Given so many virtues cultivated during his life, he received, from the municipality, the Order of the City of Valencia in 2023, constituting a true human icon of the Historic Center of Valencia, always with the greatest willingness to support good causes.
The most beautiful and kind woman from the center of Valencia
Before her departure, we share some expressions of affection and admiration taken from social networks, by people close to her who have felt a mixture of gratitude, sadness and satisfaction for meeting a woman with a deep love for her city, kind and of high human quality, always with a contagious smile.
Margarita María Marrero, artist, teacher and president of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Coromoto of the Cathedral of Valencia – who collaborated with biographical information for this work -: “Libia, who united her Valencian identity with the Guara and Andean roots of her loving parents , he gave his art to the Queen of Valencia: our Virgin of Socorro. All the “stitches” of her embroidery were her prayer for Valencia’s mother.”
David Rutman, dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences of the University of Carabobo: “The mythical ‘Catira del Banco de Venezuela’, I met her there under the mural of Eulalio Toledo Tovar (…), with her overflowing smile almost ago! 50 years! She was the most beautiful woman in the center of Valencia, a great worker, always a lady with discretion and urbanity, consistent in friendship. His call was a reunion with panache and devotion to the Virgin of Socorro, whom he honored with his illustrious hands.”
Christian González Gavidia, plastic artist: “Grateful for having met her. Great Valencian lady, beautiful, sweet and elegant. Talking to her was always about understanding, comprehending and valuing the true essence of Valencianity.”
@denismiraldo
