Tania Díaz Castro, UPECI
HAVANA, July - Recently the National Palace of the Fine Arts was inaugurated
again, in a grand ceremony with the assistance of Fidel Castro himself, and
several personalities of the cultural sphere. Yet, I remember going with my
father to the inauguration of the selfsame Palace of Fine Arts in 1954.
The building, which takes up a whole city block, was put up in two years and
was one of the most beautiful works of architecture erected under the Batista
regime. It lay practically abandoned for 30 years. During that time, walls and
ceilings started showing cracks and, gradually, exhibition halls, offices and
bathrooms were closed until the whole building was closed in 1995. At the same
time, many works of art in it had to be repaired after languishing for years in
damp storage areas.
For many years, the Cuban public has been unable to see the collection
housed at the Fine Arts. I remember visiting it when it first opened, for
exhibits and for concerts, for free. Now, the official government press tells us
there will be an admission charge, now that the building has been rescued. But
rescued from what or from whom?
The government press is not brave enough to tell us it was rescued from the
government's neglect, apathy and disinterest.
Versión
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