Jose Marti Memorial celebrates 30 years as a national symbol

HAVANA, Cuba, January 27 (ACN) The Jose Marti Memorial, opened on January 27, 1996, at the  Revolution Square, celebrates its thirtieth anniversary as the largest monument dedicated to the National Hero and an emblematic site of the Cuban nation.

The project, promoted by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, was conceived in 1995 to commemorate the centennial of Jose Marti's death in combat and established a permanent memorial to the intellectual author of the attack on the Moncada Barracks.

During the opening ceremony, Fidel highlighted the significance of the tribute and the beauty of the architectural ensemble, comprised of the obelisk and the star, which has since become a must-see for citizens and visitors alike.

At the end of the tour, the Commander-in-Chief remarked at the opening: "One feels satisfaction that a man like him has received such a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing tribute, because the combination of everything here is truly beautiful."

The Jose Marti Memorial Museum preserves and disseminates documents and photographs that reflect the different periods of the Maestro's life, as well as the continuity of his work in the Cuban Revolution, with the purpose of strengthening historical memory.

For 30 years, the Memorial has been the site of official ceremonies, tributes, and cultural activities, reaffirming its status as a symbol of identity and national heritage.

The Memorial is distinguished by its structure, composed of several rooms that offer a comprehensive tour through the life and legacy of the National Hero.

Three of these are permanent: the first dedicated to his personal and social environment, featuring a mural with an engraving of 19th-century Havana; the second focused on his role in preparing for the Necessary War of 1895, with documents such as the newspaper "Patria" and the Montecristi Manifesto; the third section focuses on the history of the Monument and Plaza's construction, dominated by a giant photograph of the Loma de los Catalanes (Catalan Hill).

The fourth point of the star corresponds to the auditorium, used for concerts, conferences, children's activities, and cultural presentations, while the temporary exhibition hall displays national and international visual art.

It also features a lookout point in the tower, considered the highest geographical point in Havana, with views of up to 50 kilometers on clear days.

Inside, a Venetian ceramic mural by Enrique Caravia Montenegro, measuring 861 square meters, is preserved.

It features 89 of Marti's thoughts laminated in 22-karat gold and surrounded by 25 columns also covered in gold, making it one of the institution's main heritage attractions.

The Jose Marti Memorial remains an emblematic site of the Cuban nation and continues to be the venue for cultural and official events. In recent days, he received the children's company La Colmenita del Cerro, which offered songs and games for the enjoyment of children and adults as a tribute to the National Hero.