NO, we don’t understand each other! It was the phrase that on March 15th, 1878, captured the eyes of global society in the most advanced and radical of Cuban thought. A reconciled peace without the essential pillars: definitive independence and abolition of slavery, disgraced 10 years of struggles and resignations in favor of a socially fair and inclusive homeland, without owners. The stature of the Major General, eclipsed those of the Zanjón and rose in principles to those who yielded to conflicting conditions. The New York newspaper La Verdad on April 6th, 1878 noted: “The hero of the day is Antonio Maceo, and it seems that it is reserved for him to raise Cuba again to the pinnacle of its glory.”

This maceista code marked routes and generated actions. In 1899, in the middle of the North American occupation, a group of black and mestizo citizens of Camagüey decided to honor the thought of Major General Antonio Maceo Grajales by founding an Association of Instruction and Recreation forged in the wars of independence.

Patriotic actions around the significance of Maceo’s figure

The Antonio Maceo association began to systematize commemorative programs about the hero. The civic-patriotic pilgrimages in urban spaces with historical significance distinguished the educational-artistic practices of cultural resistance. The parades, floral offerings, among other actions were incorporated into the artistic profile.

In the interconnection with the social system, the Maceo association promoted the transformation of Paula Square for its conversion into the Maceo Square just in time for the celebration of the Centenary of the Birth of the Bronze Titan Antonio Maceo y Grajales. The Committee for the monument and commemoration of the centenary of Antonio Maceo is established, both represented by the City Council. (AHPC: City Council Fund, Exp. 28, Leg. 17). The town is committed to the development of this process until the end of the placing and inauguration of the bronze bust. Dr. Francisco Guillén Batista, director of the Maceo association and the Antifascist Provincial Front in 1944 at the Ordinary General Meeting of the Antonio Maceo Association, on December 16th; at the four item on the agenda, this attorney asked to speak to:

… Propose to the Assembly to pass a telegram to the House of Representatives, the Senate of the Republic and the Honorable Mr. President of the Republic Dr. Ramón San Martín, so that as soon as possible and before the celebration of the Centenary of the Birth of Antonio Maceo, the complementary laws of the Constitution that guarantee the equality of all Cubans are approved by Congress and sanctioned by the President of the Republic. ” (Guillén, F. 1944, Associations Fund Exp. 21, Leg. 1, Folio 234 Third Piece).

This proposal is approved unanimously, and the space is modified from a colonial symbolic structure to a commemorative space of continuous tribute to the memory of one of the most important heroes of the Wars of Independence. It is an educational practice that provides feedback in a context of social conflict and encourages popular mobilizations.

Maceo’s bust summons the nation

Civil society got busy so that the Bust and the square became a reality. The associations of the Veterans of Independence, the Railway Union, Santa Cecilia, Victoria, El Liceo, Mariana Grajales, Camagüey Tennis Club, America Club, the Cathedral, Episcopal churches, the lodges, among others, actively participated in terms of raising money.

On the other hand, a general program was developed that included delivery of a basket for the first child born at the General Hospital on the day of the unveiling of the bust. The schools held History contests called by the Teachers Association, Maceitic Dinners, a coffee in honor of Antonio Maceo, the laying of the first stone in the Paula Square, which later became Maceo Square. The civic pilgrimage from this square to the Unknown Soldier at the Casino was distinguished by the brilliant speeches of the teachers.

In this same sense, the Maceist Corner was inaugurated in the Antonio Maceo Association. The commission of patriotic acts publicly counted the money from the public fundraising for the Bust of the Major General and the artist Servando Pita was selected for the creation of the bronze sculpture. The sociocultural empowerment of symbolic spaces redirected the colonial symbolism in a sign of independence, a legacy that still remains, every December 7th in Operation Tribute to those who died carrying out internationalist missions.

“Tonight, the traditional evening to honor General Antonio Maceo, will be held at the Main Theater.” (El Camagüeyano, December 7th, 1951, No. 193, p. 1).

The presence of Antonio’s altruism was demanded in such a way that the association invited José Maceo grandson of Major General José Maceo Grajales to the city of Camagüey. The young man accepted. For the occasion, the board of directors organized a memorable ceremony at the city’s Main Theater at 8 o’clock in the evening.

The opening of the program was in charge of the lawyer Dr. Eulalio Páez Sedano, president of the institution. The Municipal Band performed patriotic musical pieces related to the Bronze Titan and the poems were in charge of the young Migdalia Páez Hernández and Mrs. Luz A. Gómez Alfaro.

The greeting to the people of Camagüey was delivered by José Maceo and supported by a representative of the Haitian consulate, Mr. Charles [sic]. After words of thanks, joys, and emotions manifested in the presence of a descendant of the heroic family, the distinguished Dr. Demetrio Carbonell Céspedes introduced the eulogist of the night Dr. Pedro E. Abad Jiménez who gave the lecture Antonio Maceo and his revolutionary ideal, sealed with a standing ovation.

Other achievements

Regarding the Baraguá Protest, on April 17th, 1878, the American Foreing Anti-slavery Society of New York sent Maceo the following note: “The friends of freedom, both in America and in Europe, have with longing anxiety fix their eyes on you, as perhaps you are the last of this noble Cuban army to successfully hold the flag of freedom. ” (Quoted in Torres-Cuevas, E. 2012, p. 178).

Bibliography

Archivo Histórico Provincial de Camagüey (AHPC): Fondo Ayuntamiento y Fondo Asociaciones.

Henry Knight, K. (2020) Asociaciones de instrucción y recreo de negros y mestizos. Contribución al desarrollo educativo y artístico en la sociedad de Camagüey (1879 – 1961). Tesis presentada en opción al grado científico de Doctor en Ciencias Sociológicas. República de Cuba, Universidad de La Habana, Facultad de Filosofía, Historia y Sociología, Departamento de Sociología.

Periódico El Camagüeyano, 7 de diciembre de 1951.

Torres-Cuevas, E. (2012)  Antonio Maceo, las ideas que sostienen el arma, La Habana, Cuba, Ediciones Imágenes contemporáneas.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García