Havana Cuba. – The musician Osmany Hernández denounced on his social networks the alarming state of the National Theater facilities, which for years has suffered progressive deterioration and today is at the mercy of leaks and termites.
“Uncomfortable moment in our show this Sunday, March 19, at the National Theater with the usual leak that occurs when it rains. A piano, string instruments, director, musicians and wet electrical installations…”, lamented the bassoonist, who also called for actions to be taken to protect one of the few theaters that are still operating in Havana.
El Nacional is also the headquarters of the Cuban Symphony Orchestra, which every Sunday presents works by the great masters of Cuban and universal concert music.
The location of the property, located on Avenida Boyeros, a few steps from Plaza Cívica, is added to that of the “Alicia Alonso” Grand Theater of Havana, the “Karl Marx” and the “Amadeo Roldán” Auditorium. The first two are overrun by termites despite recent restorations, while the Auditorium has long been closed due to unsatisfactory capital repairs.
“Hopefully and they take action on the matter to safeguard one of the few theaters that we have left (…). Our National Theater already has termites everywhere and a growing deterioration of the facilities and musical instruments that are kept there, such as harps”.
The post, written in a respectful and measured tone, reflects a serious problem, not only in terms of the destruction of one of the theaters that attracts the most audiences each year, but also because for a poor and indebted country like Cuba, it is practically impossible replace instruments that are damaged by moisture or pests.
The artist also includes a video in which you can see the drops of water falling on music stands and musicians. He concludes his post by making a call to all people who are interested in art, and alerting that “it is better to be safe than sorry for the loss of a core facility, or a life.”
