CubaPLUS Magazine

The Communications Campaign "Loyal to Havana" for the 505th anniversary of the city began in honor of the protagonists of the restoration project developed in the Cuban capital and its creator, Eusebio Leal.

In a press conference, the director of communications of the Office of the City Historian (OHCH), Magda Resik, said that as every year, the campaign is dedicated to the most faithful and loyal of Havana residents, our greatest walker through the streets of this city, the greatest among lovers of Havana, Resik said.

We have decided to rescue emblematic buildings of this capital, she specified; it is not necessary to give so many explanations about this loyalty that inspires us, but without a doubt, Leal haunts us and inspires us in this staunch defense of the heritage, historical and cultural values treasured in the oldest places of the city, she added.

For his part, the technical deputy director of the OHCH investment department, Jesús Ramírez, referred to the rescue of important works in Havana, such as the Santa Clara Convent, founded in 1644 and of great heritage value.

Its repair has been masterful, and is still approximately 45 percent complete, the specialist said; it will be used as a school for the study of restoration arts for Cuba and the Caribbean. The restoration of the Malecón 507 and 511 heritage-grade works from the 1920s will also be used as a Cultural Center for the headquarters of the Architecture Biennial, he explained.

Ramírez also referred to the legendary La Punta Castle, from the colonial era, where extensive restoration work was done on the building, he said. The expert also mentioned among the buildings included in the program the House of Asia and the Plaza Vieja, for which the portals of the centers located there were taken into account, including the elimination of architectural barriers so that "families can enjoy a good walk in that space without setbacks," said the expert in social works.

The tours of historical places, workshops with children, adolescents and young people, and a whole participatory process, will not be long in coming, in general, for the whole family, organizers specified.

This campaign was generated from the Historic Center of the City and one of the greatest expectations is for the upcoming edition of the Havana Biennial, from November 15th until next February, they concluded.
(Taken from Prensa Latina)