CUBA -- Plaza de la Revolution

I'm doing a poor job of showing solidarity: no one is there to follow me.

We approached a huge space that looked like a Walmart parking lot sited next to an eight-lane highway. Three buildings have big, black, steel outlines of the Cuban heroes of the Revolution: Ernesto “Ché” Guevarra and Camilo Cienfuegos. Under Ché’s image is the quote: “Hasta la victoria siempre” (until the everlasting victory, always). Under Cienfuegos’s image is the quote: Vas bien Fidel” (you’re doing fine, Fidel).

 















The Plaza de la Revolution is the place where Cubans hold political marches and demonstrations. Fidel gave many a long speech here and I do mean long, once up to seven hours and 10 minutes! The last three popes also used this place to celebrate Mass. I must say it is a rather unremarkable place despite its importance. The attention to making it a special place hardly compares to Red Square in Moscow or Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Hey, Cuba is a poor, little country.

the plaza during a special event

Across the square is a gray marble sculpture of José Julián Martí Pérez (1853-1895), a Cuban national hero and an important Latin American literary figure. Martí was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, a Freemason, a political theorist. Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century. Consequently, he is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence." He is seen everywhere in Cuba, especially Havana. 

overview of the Martí monument

close-up of Martí

Ironically, this particular monument to him was commissioned by Batista after his successful military coup in 1952. The Castro regime kept the monument, however, regardless of its origins. Behind the monument is the National Assembly of the Cuban government. The National Library, many government ministries, and other buildings are located in and around the Plaza. Located behind the memorial is the Palace of the Revolution, the seat of the Cuban government and Communist Party. The memorial statue and lookout is 357 feet high and one of the tallest points in the city. 

Near the plaza was a political billboard. These government propaganda pieces are scattered around Havana and the other cities we visited. This one extols the benefits of the the Castro regime, which made possible a free Cuba. Hmmm, not many women in this one.