Architect Omar Lopez Rodriguez, director of the Office of the Curator of the City (OCC) of Santiago de Cuba, considered timely and important turning the heritage of the so-called Capital of the Caribbean in an economic resource to generate revenue for the city and the country.
To tell of the National Architecture Award 2001, Santiago de Cuba is a privileged city in the Caribbean area because it has on its premises some of the scenes of the most important events in the history of the country and the continent, that are interesting and attractive not only for local and national tourism, but also for the international.
The Master of Science mentioned among those most outstanding locations the Monumental Area, where is the former Moncada Garrison; the Cultural Landscape of El Cobre, linked to the history of the maroons, mining and religious past of the nation; he alluded to wrecks where are found the footprints of the Hispanic Cuban American War; and the old Spanish military fortifications, being the Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca the most prominent, impressive and holds the world heritage distinction.
The director of the OCC said in Santiago de Cuba various initiatives to give value to the main heritage attractions, including the recovery of old coffee plantations, resuscitation of Las Enramadas Street, the sea promenade, among others.
The OCC will celebrate its two decades founded on April 28, 2017, merriment that matches the 495 anniversary of the granting Santiago de Cuba the city title. For that reason the institution responsible for heritage preservation has designed a varied program of activities including exhibitions of the most important achievements in 20 years, also publishing books will be displayed, along with a work plan, which includes investments , maintenance, among other constructive interventions.
As most significant highlights the work of the OCC to include the City Center of Santiago de Cuba within the components of the list of World heritage and the future creation of a Museum of Aborigine Archaeology, pieces of singular value today preserved at the Universidad de Oriente.
"We also will highlight the link between Santiago de Cuba and the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, to forecast his 90th birthday, as few places as our territory have so many sites linked to the student, political and military task in step before January 1959 ", said Omar Lopez.
Furthermore, in the year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the OCC also have been foreseen the realization of an International Workshop for the Evaluation of Plan Site Management of the Morro Castle and other event on equity, specifically on cultural landscapes.
"The 20th anniversary of the Office of the Curator of the City is the partying of a group of workers, his consolidated effort in two decades of work translated into research scientific, and constructive work on linkage with the different institutions of the city and the country, and all towards the preservation of tangible and intangible assets of Santiago de Cuba, "said Lopez.
The OCC has currently more than 200 thousand workers, and departments such as the Master Plan, linked to historical and other heritage areas Center, the Project Office, the Ugo Luisi Workshop School , the Company Restoration of Monuments, among others.