The Revolution Square Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz had a precedent in the vicinity of the University of Camagüey, but its difficult access and the distance for the majority of the people of Camagüey, limited its power as a gathering place.
That is why the Government authorities and the Party decided to hold a national competition for the project of the new Revolution Square in the center of Camagüey city. Several projects were presented to the call and two were finalists, among them the one that today exhibits this place, witness of great events.
The main designer of the square was the architect Alexis Souto, who was on site with his team for more than 10 years and long working hours.
The importance of this square for the history of the town and what it symbolizes is more than enough reason to look for the heart and hands that carried out such a great work, as the international day of the urban planner approaches.
The construction
Alexis tells us that a physical planning team studied the possible lands and the most central was the current one, at that time occupied by several sports courts and the sketch of a building that did not materialize.
The original project included many more tall buildings and other facilities in the surroundings, which would give night life to the square, but economic limitations and the subsequent fall of the Socialist Bloc only allowed the execution of 17 percent of the planned works; which is what we can see nowadays.
The concept of the monument with Agramonte standing is to show the Camagüey hero from another edge, since the park that bears his name already showed him equestrian.
The inauguration of the square
The celebration of July 26th, 1989 took place in Camagüey and for the national ceremony for the Moncada anniversary, the work was revealed, with the presence of Fidel, Raúl, Vilma Espín and other members of the Central Committee of the Party. Reliving the excitement of those days, Souto takes a shortcut to go back in time.
He proudly remembers Raúl’s arrival the day before the event and the tour they made together through the new esplanade, while he regrets that the Commander-in-Chief arrived at dawn on the 26th itself, so he could not participate with him on his visit to that great place.
The architect
Happy for the mark that the Revolution Square has leave over time, but dissatisfied because it was unfinished. I must say that this architect has not only dedicated himself to urban planning, but also some interior projects in other parts of the city have his signature, for example:
Tayabito Villa, the headquarters of the Provincial Government, two Camping sites, the Restaurant La Volanta, the Gallo Pizzeria and for 20 years he designed and set up the Camagüey exhibition at Expo-Cuba.
He is still working as an architect and in love with his profession. With such a long career spanning more than 40 years, Alexi Souto still hopes to fulfill a dream, to work on the restoration of some important building in the commercial area of the city, because as Eusebio Leal said: “the hand executes but the heart dictates”.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
