Camagüey, Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity

By: Noel Manzanares Blanco / Television Camagüey

Just one day like today, the Committee of the World Patrimony of the UNESCO, gathered in the Canadian city of Québec in the mark of its XXXII has found yearly for a couple of years, decided that the historical center of Camagüey, Cuba, obtained the condition of Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity.

The reason of this high distinction granted to the extraordinary poet's cradle Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda and of the National Poet of Cuba Nicolás Guillén, is synthesized in the document “Exceptional Universal Value.

Historical Urban Center of Camagüey like ‘Patrimony of the Humanity '. Camagüey 2008”, located in Web Site of the Office of the Historian of the City [www.ohcamaguey.co.cu]. There it is read:

“In the Historical Center of Camagüey is corroborated, with singular connotation, the persistence of attributes and qualities that trafficking for the different historical periods, have acquired a true character of authenticity, making recognizable inside the system of colonial cities of Cuba and the region of the Caribbean.”

Next, stand out the most outstanding and representative values that identify the exceptional and universal character of the defined area, with the following features:

* The irregularity of the plot urban foundational that generates a wide system of squares and little squares, transforms the area into an unique case in Cuba and the continent, probably caused by a slow growth of two centuries and a very marked lack of urban control.

* The urban structuring of the area is characterized by the church and the square like nucleus; where the tower of the temple constitutes the landmark of the neighborhood or congregation that stands out on the rest of the village of low and lineal profile; for what the appellative has been won of “city of the Churches.”

* The proposed area maintains a great unit, inside a wide diversity and variety of types and architectural styles. The juxtaposition of the different constructive stages, grants visual integrity, cohesion and authenticity from the architectural point of view; while the narrow streets and of curvilinear layout and the spaces in multiple ways make from the urban point of view.

* The mud, local material, used for the elaboration of construction bricks, tiles, floors, earthenjar and more contemporarily works of art, grants a characteristic color to the volumetry and atmosphere of the group. The earthenjar use, resemblances to the Andalusianses and placed in the patios, have allowed recepcion the rain water and have made call the “city of the earthenjar.”

* The vegetation is an element that has great presence, contrary to other Historical Centers; in the yards of the houses, in urban spaces and open spaces (Country Casino), overalls if the group is observed from certain height.

* The different types of patrimonies: cultural and natural; tangible and intangible; piece of furniture and property, and the recovery of customs and traditions that are reflected in the alive culture give to the combined identity and authenticity.

If to the above-mentioned and other values are added customs and traditions that are reflected in the alive and authentic culture and in their rich History, it is understood better than the grant lacked chance to the urban historical center of Camagüey the condition of Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity. To maintain such a reward, there is the challenge here.

Register in Camagüey to outstanding cooperative

The Cooperative of Credits and Services (CCS) Sabino Pupo of the municipality of Vertientes inaugurated the process of delivery of the flags “50 Anniversary of the Revolution” in the county, reward that with character only delivery the Association of Small Farmers (ANAP) to fifty rural entities of the country for its exceptional trajectory and execution of productive commitments.

Inside the group of the means hundred, highlights that in the case of the county of Camagüey thirteen cooperatives become worthy of the distinction, significant number that demonstrates the weight of the rural sector in the production of foods in the territory.

The “Sabino Pupo” also arrived to the condition of National Vanguard to be the second of it type in the county and in the country, belonging to the Ministry of the Sugar (MINAZ) that arrived to the million of liters of bovine milk. It productive mark happened in the 2009 and like part of the adjustment process in the agriculture that includes the absorption of the MINAZ, its cane areas passed to another cooperative and perfects its work in the cattle raising.

The select group of Camagüey is composed of the Cooperatives of Agricultural Production (CPA) Frank Country and Abel Santamaría of Florida, the CCS Niceto Pérez and the CPA Martyrs of Cascorro of Guáimaro, the CPA Jesus Suárez Gayol, CCS Abel Santamaría and CCS Renato Guitart of Camagüey, the CCS Benito Viñales of Mines, the CCS Cándido González and CCS Martyrs of Pine Three of Santa Cruz del Sur and the CPA Martyrs of Nicaragua of Sibanicú. (Oreidis Pimentel Pérez)

Center of Studies Nicolás Guillén: for the sociocultural enrichment of Camagüey

The month of July marks new anniversary, in this case, the number 15, for the Center of Studies-old of Sociocultural Investigations “Nicolás Guillén” - of the county of Camagüey. Its presence in the scientific and educational environment has contributed to the profundization and rescue of as much as aspect of the socio-cultural life of the territory and of Cuba, contribute to the enrichment of the dearest patrimony.

From its breast, and directed by the Máster Ernestina Hernández Bardanca, acuciousspecialist given to the task of poking in edges of significant importance, linked with personalities, movements and actions of diverse nature.

It also facilitates the teaching of different educational categories, among them the Master in Latin American Culture that has just completed its seventh edition. Of it have egresado until the present 103 graduates in the area of Humanities, as long as other 64 will make in the next promotion.

From the year 1995 began this to act consequent with the zeal of agglutinating educators and pupils for the sake of combatting the intellectual inertia, and of fomenting the rigorous study, of its reach. Today per Today, this Center of Studies is recognized nationally by the excellence of its deliveries and results.

Of it give faith-when one speaks of figures -, its 231 publications between books and texts; the 20 annual prizes and the reward of investigations, achieved in the 2003, all with national character and the opening for the qualification of doctorates, among other realities.

The Center of Studies “Nicolás Guillén”, ratifies the National Poet's aspiration and beloved son from the Camagüey, of which takes name, of fomenting the study and the investigation, able to enrich to the homeland and Cuba its horizons in the sociocultural sand.

And yes that has achieved it. (Yolanda Flat Ferrera)