Undoubtedly, talking about Havana with so much history to review is not an easy task, not even for the most brainy and knowledgeable about city domains. More than a province, a city, the capital of the country constitutes an emporium, with a population of more than two million people and many other floating travelers in its 15 municipalities.
There is no doubt that when it comes to its anniversary (now the 502nd), those who love it well seek to visit it on that occasion and the point of coincidence is often the founding site, in the shadow of El Templete, a place where it is always Nice to return, especially now that we are recovering life, without exaggeration. We have spent a year and eight months of ngustias, which are not over yet but they are giving way, God willing, as the Catholics would say and very well said.
Havana is preparing for the advent of the new birthday – and in a new normal that implies coexistence with the virus – accompanied by the growing activity in its streets, after the reopening to the economic, social and cultural life of the Island with current control of the epidemic in the city and the rest of Cuba.
The long-awaited day of November 16, the date of the founding of the Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana, has never gone unnoticed, but it is true that these last 20 months with the undesirable presence of SARS-Cov-2 were very difficult, with more reasons then to retrace its twists and turns, be it its colonial or modern part, or both.
Even with pending issues on which factors of different types weigh, among them the reinforced imperial blockade and the persistence of Covid-19, the city estates have become witnesses of a greening of their most disadvantaged neighborhoods, as is the case of El Fanguito , in El Vedado.
In its Historic Center, in turn, they have taken advantage of this long period of isolation so as not to give up the effort that the eternal restorative work of Eusebio Leal Spengler continues to spread over time.
Precisely in these domains, new facilities will now welcome visitors; as well as a bronze sculpture of the extinct Historian of the City of Havana, coming from the hands of José Villa Soberón, will be unveiled. The Ceiba ceremony, in the Plaza de Armas, will also take place to the delight of its regulars on the eve of the town’s birthday.
Around that time, at the beginning of next week, when national borders are also opened to international tourism, the arteries of Old Havana will be more frequented, there are plenty of reasons for such appointments postponed again and again, as to maintain hygienic measures -health in order to always keep the virus in check.
The bustle will be more than noticeable and people will look happy, which will be reflected in their eyes, their expressions and the gestures of both hands.
The irreplaceable masks will still prevent us from enjoying live smiles, although they will be present, they will be felt, they will be heard …
There will be those who prefer to wait the 502 years of their capital in La Rampa, the boardwalk or in Playa, to the west- or like many in their municipalities of residence or from a small house-; but surely many will go to the old part. We will then coincide with those who take Obispo Street and from there to its squares, shops, service centers and recreation areas. There is to choose and where to remember and make plans for the future.
Welcome, then, the birthday of the capital of all Cubans, happy and aware that we are passing through a new normal, where discipline and responsibility are well worth it, even if it is a celebration.
