“When we transform a building, we also transform the soul of its inhabitants.”

This phrase of our eternal Eusebio Leal inspires me in many of my chronicles, today I bring it to light once again, because I am looking for how much the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city works for our society.

They are not mere numbers or actions, but works that, when they reach people, transform and touch the soul for the better. We could cite here the Finlay House health projects, the project the city looks at its rivers, interventions in citadels, tenements and old buildings notably dilapidated, as well as sponsoring the School for children with autism spectrum disorders.

For these reasons I want to tell you about a meeting I had some time ago with the patients of the Art-therapy project: Reborn, art and love for health. I must clarify that the project was on pause due to COVID-19 and since January it has returned with the number of members somewhat decimated, but with the will of its specialists intact.

The meeting

“I think we all have a bit of that beautiful madness that keeps us going, when everything around us is so insanely sane.” (Julio Cortazar)

With that conviction, art and knowledge come together in a project, which Norma Trigo, psychologist, has been carrying out for 20 years with stabilized psychiatric patients.

With the desire to make them reborn into society, they bring together their best artistic skills and every Thursday in the peaceful courtyard of Carlos J. Finlay’s Birthplace they show their works, share their sorrows and joys, while spending their time in oxygenating the spirit.

Like a large family, together with Yeyi, the name by which they affectionately call their Dr. They welcome each meeting and feel flattered if someone visits, this is what happened to this chronicler, who went to look closely and ended up inside of the round of tenths and songs.

Background

With all her passion put into her project, Yeyi tells us that when psychiatry evolved at the end of the 90s, it was sought that patients be rehabilitated in their own community and no longer in hospitals, thus several projects emerged.

With the support of the Casa de la Cultura Ignacio Agramonte, theirs seeks to enhance the skills of patients in acting, with this they achieve from the theater, that they sing, dance, write poems and memorize texts, which strengthens their short-term memory.

Participation allows them to recover in less time than those who only do so with medical treatment.

In the birthplace of the scientist from Camagüey, they found their refugee about 7 years ago, because in addition to the meetings, they interact with their workers, make a coffee or a morning tea, which allows them to become familiar and be part of the group.

The House has its performances for many various meetings that take place there and in this way the exchange flows, the most recent was with the home for the elderly, where they have brought their art and joy, to share with grandparents.

Several awards have been won by the project in cultural festivals and science forums, the most recent one held at the University of Camagüey awarded it a relevant award as a Socio-Cultural Project.

From inside

About ten patients with various diagnoses make up the “Reborn” art-therapy, men are the majority, but the three ladies I was able to see surprised me with their voices both for singing and for declamation.

Yaremis García, is the House specialist who leads the project, updating the data, she says that the participants have decreased after the pandemic and takes the opportunity to invite those who want to join, as the results are very positive.

We continue in the patio and Pavel interrupts us to say hello and by the way, see who the Doctor talks so much to. He warns that they are already waiting to give me a performance, so here we go…

The play

In the shadow of the laurel Pavel and Fausto offer a spark of humor, Alma Rosa and Joaquín recite and dramatize a beautiful love poem, while Higinio gives a song to oblivion.

For the romantic revenge, María arrives, very serene, she sings to the summer sky, which turned misty almost at the end, when Diosdado appeared to remind us with his song that… the earrings that the moon lacks are stored in the bottom of the sea.

This was a pleasant morning, the spirit of the Casona Finlay, was full of poetry and musicality, I say goodbye grateful for the gift, my soul is full of beauty and emotions, especially to see how from their world, these people can bring us optimism to transform from within.

Thanks to the OHCC for this work of infinite love, which seeks the inclusion of all.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García