The day began with a greeting from Karla Vitantonino, representative in Cuba of the European Union NGO CARE, who regretted not being able to be in person at the event, but wished the participants the best aspirations to exchange and be filled with all the experiences that can contribute to the development of the territories.
Then began the conference by the Master Plan specialist María Isabel Torrens, who offered an update on urban management for the sustainability of the Historic Center of Camagüey, highlighting the creative industries project as an opportunity for the development of the 5 main spaces of the area.
At the end, took place the presentation of works in the three commissions determined by related topics, where the exchange with the participating specialists and their initiatives was promoted, from the different heritage cities.
Communication and new technologies
Although with a smaller audience, the commission dedicated to the issue of communication sparked debate, since the representatives of the city of Remedios and the capital wanted the experience of our team, never free of material limitations, misunderstandings and choices, but always united and with many desires to do and dream, in favor of heritage.
The facilities provided by new technologies for modernity and inclusion were also addressed, examples that will soon be available to Camagüey citizens, with the opening of the Railway Museum that will offer a look at heritage on rails, from a virtual perspective.
El Alarife
In the context of the symposium, near the closing, a parenthesis opens to recognize with the Fulgencio Arambula Public Master Prize, people and institutions, who with their actions from architecture or urban planning, contribute to the preservation of the city and its legacy.
On this occasion, and under emotional applause, this award was given to the architect Alexis Souto Amador, main designer of the Revolution Square Mayor General Ignacio Agramonte and of many other works in the city, such as the restoration of the current HQ of the Provincial Government, the Mella and Lenin neighborhoods, among others. His gratitude upon receiving the award makes him continue to love this city, which has the works of his hands and designs.
A special occasion
Within the framework of the celebration for the 25th anniversary of the Office of the Historian of the city of Camagüey (OHCC), a special delivery of the Alarife Award to a second person was carried out exceptionally. The silence and then the sustained applause, announced that the delivery is addressed to José Rodríguez Barrera, (Joseito) director of the institution.
To the abundant merits that the resolution establishes to grant the award, the emotional words of his colleagues from the sister city of Baracoa were added. The historian Alejandro Harmann Matos and the main specialist Amado San Miguel, who on behalf of their people sent a message of gratitude to “Joseito” and his team, who in 2016 after the passage of a Hurricane through the eastern region, left for Baracoa to help rebuild.
Full of gratitude, he received the embrace of his fellow companions and also, two symbols of that city, a polymite with all its natural colors and the insignia of the cacique Guamá, which according to Harmann, together with his Camagüeyan brother Caonao, represent the human essence that defends our lands.
The End
This is how the XV Symposium Challenges in the Management and Administration of Cities ends, but the activities planned for the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the OHCC continue on February 24th, which will still be accompanied by many of those colleagues, who, like us, put will and dedication in the defense of heritage.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
