By: Alejandro García and Jermir Varona Socías

On October 29th, 1999, the Joaquín de Agüero Square was inaugurated, in honor of the patriots shot in the former Sabana de Méndez in 1851.

The execution of the construction project was the first major work of the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city (OHCC, by its acronym in Spanish) and after a year of work the square was presented to the Community.

The original idea of ​​restoring the place was born from the interest of some residents of the area and Enrique Aguilar González, who at that time was a delegate of the Juruquey Bella Vista Popular Council.

According to Enrique, before the Office of the Historian’s intervention in the place, the square was known as the black track. In addition, the circuses performed there when they visited the province and according to some neighbors, on one occasion an elephant was tied to the base of the monument to Joaquín de Agüero and the patriots shot in 1851.

The residents of the community began with their own means to rescue the place, to offer it the homage and respect that the monument deserved. Then the OHCC took over the work that was not only in the square but also in its surroundings, since a series of useful services were enabled for the inhabitants of the area and that until that date they could not enjoy.

José Rodríguez Barreras, director of the OHCC told us about the work and the importance of this place in the community “this work has a symbolic meaning for the institution because after so many years of indolence it was possible to pay off that debt of the people of Camagüey with Joaquín de Agüero and his figure was enhanced. In addition, it was our first experience to do large-scale projects not only because of the morphological change that the square received, but also because of the possibility of highlighting why this place is also part of the Historic Center, something that did not seem possible before.

“We still have a lot to disseminate about the life of Joaquín de Agüero and his importance in Cuba history. We will continue to strive for this, which is why it is commendable that this day is remembered and that it is not only done as the inauguration of a symbolic space but also as a fair tribute to a distinguished Cuban patriot. ”

Today the square is full of greenery and surrounded by an active life, but the city routine cannot lead us to forget our heroes. The plaque at the foot of the monument is a proof of this. “Remember, Cuban, that here Juaquín Agüero y Agüero was shot for your freedom.”

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García