Social Facilities, Tourism Resorts Opened in Baracoa
Social Facilities, Tourism Resorts Opened in Baracoa
By Mayte Hernandez
The opening of important social and tourist centers was the main dish on Sunday during the festivities in Baracoa, the first city of this Caribbean island, that comes to the 500th anniversary of its foundation on August 15.
A tour was carried out in the morning by important figures and State highly-ranked officers around the famous city’s historic core, which is located in the Eastern province of Guantánamo and is pretty well known due to its traditions.
Julio Camacho Aguilera, Major of the Rebel Army, underlined the outstanding role played by Baracoa and its people in the Caribbean island’s history and present days, for its traditions and cultural values, as well as its active participation.
He made emphasis on the development achieved by the first foundational village, reflecting the conservation of patrimonial values, with the authenticity and charm of its culture and people.
That was also the thought of Antonio Enrique Luson, Vice president of the Council of Ministers, who underlined the municipality’s historical value and the possibilities for local and economic development, which are already a fact.
On this respect, the 1511 guesthouse, owned by Gaviota hotel chain, was inaugurated during this Sunday morning. It will be complementing the 198-room hotel capacity in Baracoa, as explained by Ernan Hernandez, the company’s representative in the territory.
On the other hand, Herman Van Hooff, representative of UNESCO’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted the city’s achievements and actions carried out by its people and government in order to preserve and revive its historic heritage.
The Meeting of Mayors and Figures from the first villages founded in Cuba was held in the afternoon, in which attendees talked about the importance of preserving cultural traditions and identities, as historical memory of the island and its past.
This annual event allows officers from these regions to exchange experiences so as to promote local development and heritage preservation.
An allegorical plate for the village’s 500th anniversary was unveiled in the future venue of Cacao Museum House. It was explained that this facility will display the history of cacao in Cuba, its harvest, production, preparation and consumption.
Alejandro Hartmann, historian of the city, pointed out that this museum house will work as agglutinating element of Baracoa’s traditions and culture, loyal follower of this exquisite truth, which makes it unique in the country.
The Gala for the 500th anniversary was held in the evening, in which the people, guests and national and international figures celebrated this date, August 15th, when Villa de Our Lady of Asuncion de Baracoa was founded.
