When we enter Iguazu National Park with the purpose of visiting the Iguazu Falls, right there, next to the entrance, we have the opportunity to visit the Ivyra Reta Visitor Center or Ivyra Reta Interpretation Center.
An indicator sign points out the place, which cannot be overlooked because it is clearly distinguishable from the others. Despite this, and given the short time we had to look around, very few people come to see it in proportion to the number of people entering Iguazu National Park. In fact, we ourselves walked right past it when we entered, and it wasn't until we left that we made time for 20 minutes and toured it. In fact, visiting it takes no more than 20 minutes.
The National Museum Guide, 2009, by the National Secretariat of Culture and the National Secretariat of Tourism refers to it as the Iguazu National Park Museum and Interpretation Center, and states: "It consists of an area dedicated to the flora and fauna of the subtropical jungle, an anthropological area—relating to the region's people and their relationship with the jungle environment—and an area referring to the history of the Guarani cultures and the Jesuits and conquerors." It could be said that this is a generalization, and while it is true that it shows all of that, it is no less true that it is quite concise in relation to everything there is to show or comment on. Meanwhile, the Visual Guide to the Iguazu Falls and Ibera Wetlands (Clarin), on page 34, states: "Ivyra Reta Interpretation Center. It occupies the most important building of the National Park's new facilities. This Center was named Ivyra Reta (in Guarani, land of the trees), and is divided into two major thematic areas, one on nature and the other on human activities in the region. The panels dedicated to ants and butterflies stand out."
It is planned to move it to another building, with the new destination supposed to be the "old Cataratas Hotel," but as of February 2015, this place is completely empty and the Visitor Center remains just meters from the entrance to Iguazu National Park.
On one of the two signs at the entrance of the Visitor Center, the name appears, and on the other sign, there are 4 logos, and above them the legend "80 years. 1934-2014," alluding to the 80th anniversary of Iguazu National Park. The logos are: the logo of Iguazu National Park, the logo of the National Parks Administration, the logo of World Heritage, and finally the UNESCO logo.
Admission is free, let's say it is included in the cost one pays to enter the Park. Upon entering, there is a central hall followed by a brief tour of two or three rooms.
The rooms feature large panels that cover almost all of the walls, panels with content explanations, a few stuffed animals, several scale models, and artifacts made by humans, mostly from aboriginal (Guarani) tribes. In this way, visual engagement is achieved for the visitor. Generalities about nature and its relationship with man are presented, regarding that Misiones zone. The tour is self-guided, very simple, you enter through one door and exit through another, there is no way to get lost. Possibly the reason why the tour of the Visitor Center is brief is because the main attraction of the National Park is the Falls, and the vast majority of visitors head straight for them. However, it is good to stop by, either upon entry or exit, to visit it, because it presents some generalities that might be overlooked by the visitor, or provides basic concepts to understand the environment in which one finds oneself.
So, in the first room we learn about nature, animal life mostly, and some panels also allude to flora. Flora and Fauna of the subtropical jungle. A standout panel is the one about ants. (The following photograph shows a portion of that panel). This panel is attractive due to its artistic form, featuring a giant-sized sculpture of an ant under a similarly oversized magnifying glass, playing with dimensions and allowing the visitor to reflect, especially when it contrasts with the rest of the panel.
The next room displays human groups and their relationship with the environment, both native groups like the Guarani and groups of immigrants who settled in colonies. But more is shown about the aboriginals, with different things related to them regarding river transport (single-trunk canoes), hunting (bows, spears, and traps), crafts (clay pots and wicker baskets), and tradition—musical instruments used (and still used) by the indigenous Guarani.
Not much more; here ends the visit to this Interpretation Center in Iguazu National Park.
In recent years—I would say ten to fifteen years ago, at least here in the country, perhaps a few more abroad (USA, Europe)—Interpretation Centers began to emerge, and the question is: what makes them different from museums? What is distinct about them? The origin of Interpretation Centers seems to be rooted in North American museography. The concept is broad and offers plenty of material to study and understand. Roughly speaking, just as a museum presents objects for observation, the interpretation center offers objects and information for interpretation. This interpretation has three main aspects: functional, symbolic, and contextual. The interpretation center uses tools such as panels with written information, photographs, infographics, charts, etc.; it also uses scale models, and sometimes presents information in a game-like manner so that the visitor can interact in some way, didactically. It also offers audio material and audiovisual material provided via screens. It is correct to present information as objectively as possible, but this is not always achievable; a certain level of subjectivity always exists in the provided information. There are many definitions of what "heritage interpretation" is; each place will adapt to the definition it identifies with most. This allows for a diversity of opinions that give rise to different types of interpretation centers. The museum always presents original pieces, whereas the interpretation center can make use of models or replicas of originals.
There is also the distinction made in some places between an interpretation center and a visitor center, classifying a visitor center as a place that presents general guidelines on the tourist aspects of a specific location, either through qualified staff or visual presentations.
Links to expand knowledge regarding Interpretation Centers (Consulted February 2015)
http://www.interpretaciondelpatrimonio.com/
http://www.naturalezaparaelfuturo.org/new/centros/centros.asp
http://evemuseografia.com/2014/05/06/creacion-de-un-centro-de-interpretacion/
http://www.wikanda.es/wiki/Centro_de_interpretaci%C3%B3n
To conclude, this photo features the welcome message at the top of the door leading to the auditorium (which we didn't enter since there were no activities), but I took a picture of the two yellow signs. These are traffic signs that, as you arrive at Iguazu National Park, you find along the road; each of them bears the figure of a characteristic animal of the place, among the best-known ones. These signs warn drivers about areas where animals might cross or wander onto the road.
Links. (Visited February 2015)
http://www.iguazuargentina.com/que-hacer/10-cosas-para-hacer/centro-de-interpretacion/
http://www.territoriodigital.com/nota3.aspx?c=7221869619945741
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