Guantanamo.- The first town in Cuba, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa (“Our Lady of the Assumption of Baracoa”), celebrates its 513th anniversary of foundation. The historians of the town today are involved in the 20th Scientific-methodological Meeting: Baracoa, History, Culture and Traditions to be held at the Casa de la Trova in the city.
Elexis Fernández-Rubio, first vice-president of the Guantanamo branch of the Cuban Historians Association and the main organizer of the two grass-root committee in this territory, highlights the scientific program made up of the diversity of themes that contribute to strengthening the values forged by the people of Baracoa during more than five centuries of existence.
Several of the investigations deal with the influence of the work of José Martí, the National Hero of Cuba, on local personalities, the development of education in Baracoa, and the role of rebel teachers, among other topics that analyze important historiographical processes in the formation of Baracoa’s culture and identity, Fernández Rubio says.
The scientific methodological meeting, sponsored by the UNHIC, in Guantánamo Province and the Municipal Directorate of Culture, in Baracoa, takes place within the context of the 27th Festival of the Waters, which celebrates the 513 years of the oldest town in Cuba.
Likewise, from Saturday 10th to Thursday 15th August, the founding day of the Villa Primada, by the first governor in Cuba, Diego Velázquez de Cuellar, various activities will take place, including agricultural fairs, cultural political galas, parties dedicated to the conservation of the most deep-rooted traditions of the territory, such as the festivals of the Toa rafters and the Kiriba-Nengón illustrious group, and dances in public spaces.
The members of the UNHIC base committee in Baracoa will be with the people at the cultural political event on the 13th for the 98th anniversary of the birth of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, in the Plaza de Armas, at nine o’clock at night, while on the 15th, at the same place and time, a representation of the organization will attend the Solemn Assembly, convened by the governability of the territory.
