Will Havana Survive?

Will Havana Survive?
December 3, 2014µ
Ernesto Carralero Burgos

HAVANA TIMES — The anniversary of the establishment of the settlement of
San Cristobal de La Habana was celebrated a few days ago. I believe
that, like birthdays and other commemorative events that celebrate the
passage of time, such anniversaries are a way of expressing gratitude
for still being alive.

As one walks around the Cuban capital, one notices that the city is in a
rather deplorable state. With the exceptions of those areas (mostly
destined to tourism) that are favored by the work of the Office of the
Havana City Historian, the rest of the city suffers from decades of
general neglect.

From afar, it resembles a city torn apart by a war or devastated by one
of nature's destructive forces.

The most regrettable thing is that there are people living in those
ruined buildings – many because of the well-known housing shortage and
others simply because they were born and raised in neighborhoods they
don't want to leave.

Lacking their own resources and State aid, these people find it
impossible to repair the homes they live in. Though some manage to save
up some money to overcome very basic problems, the truth is that it is
impossible to take on such repairs on their measly salaries.

I have often heard people say things like: "I pray to god a hurricane
never hits Havana." The fact this has never happened is a kind of
blessing, I believe.

All the while, money is spent to repair city landmarks such as the
Capitolio building. Despite the fact this is a historical monument, I
believe I agree with Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei's gesture of breaking
Neolithic ceramics as part of a performance. When hundreds of lives are
destroyed every instant, nothing is sacred.

Why should we prioritize the Capitolio over the rest of the city?

Apparently, when the repairs are done, the National People's Power
Assembly (Parliament) will be relocated to the facilities there. We can
only hope that, if Havana manages to survive till then, our elected
deputies, then much closer to the reality of the city, will be moved by
what they see around them and decide to do something for a city that was
among Latin America's most beautiful for a very long time.

Source: Will Havana Survive? - Havana Times.org -
http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=107722