When in February 2013 the group building the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, began its work in the restoration of the SBMI Cathedral of this city seemed far off I could say the work was being finalized.
More than two years later, and passing the date for which it was wished to finished it coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the founding of the former village of Santiago de Cuba, like many others in the new continent, under the protection of St. James on July 25, 1515.
Nearby we have been at this time, following step by step the greening of this almost bicentennial temple, built only in Cuba Cathedral and one of the oldest structures, large and complex wood of America.
In more than 90% completion of the works talked with officials of the group responsible for the artistic restoration of walls, columns, ceilings and dome, the latter one of the most complex.
Otto Francisco suitcase Freijoso, Bachelor of Rehabilitation profession and is responsible for the group of restorers from the inside of the dome, we explained that the group members are mostly city artists (sculptors, painters, engravers ...), and in particular it belongs to a group of private assembly and decoration. I had no previous experience in this type of restoration work, taking upon request of a brother and recognize that for him, the biggest challenge they have to bear in this work is the heat, and dehydration due to high temperatures in the area of work.
Israel Tamayo Zamora, general manager of all this brigade or group of restorers, had had previous work experience, but "work in a dome like this is the first time". He explains that initially there was "calculated a record of completion and much time we have been betrayed." Because of the complexity of the work, to start "talked about restoration, but in reality as the work of artistic decoration everything was new; therefore make a dome like this, would have required at least one year of work, continuously working in very difficult conditions. "
Visiting the dome after carefully climbing the steps that bring us inside, to more than 10 meters high, intense heat immediately makes us wonder how can they? Tamayo continues his explanation ... "A small team works from 7 am to 7 pm, 12 hours in terms of height, poor air circulation, high temperatures ... extreme conditions in which we must be very careful because it can give the impression that you are well and give you a "black out", he lost consciousness. "
Behind the wooden structures, scaffolds that serve to facilitate the work of artists-restorers stand the beautiful figures of angels that seem to hold the hoop cupulino and flashlight. Beauty showing the technical solutions that this team has to implement; for example, "on the base of cupulino into the flashlight, the carpenters could not do it exactly as it was originally and this led us to seek an artistic solution to that change, and our understanding is much better than the original. The angels that adorn not have to be dismantled due care that have not called us either, and to make the molds had to unite different parts, and then restore power and remove the mold. " "I can tell you that this dome has been much better than the decor she had previously, first for the treatment of color that is much clearer; with a much lighter structure, "says teacher Israel nod to what other artists from his scaffolding listen.
Now it is almost final stage, and is almost obligatory question ... When all scaffolds are removed and observe the work of restoration and replacement of the interior of the dome of the Santiago Cathedral ... what they will be to you as artists, as Santiago. Responds quickly Israel, "first I think that have contributed to the beauty of an architectural work emblematic of the city of Santiago de Cuba, conducted by the renowned architect Carlos Segrera, and in which worked many artists as Desangles, the father of Ferrer Cabello and self Ferrer Cabello who taught many of the artists who are here. And it's also a little, the feeling followers of those great masters who taught us well, we have also learned along the way and this is a challenge for which we have tried to give the best of our art. I know that if they were listening or watching us, feel satisfaction and pride. "
And so without hiding their "vanity" he tells us: "We have an advantage over the columns that need to be maintained by all, here one can" climb "to touch anything. Inside the temple whether it will be necessary for all visiting the Cathedral, so much care, because it has fondly work has cost much money do this, but especially for the work that everyone has put in the work; not only artists, also bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers (eg all the plaster that was applied to the bottom of all the figures) is also necessary to recognize and talk about them. "
On September 22, when Pope Francisco between the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba, where he will be welcomed by hundreds of families of this city and all Cuba, you can enjoy the beauty in all its splendor of this house of God, this temple which he is a faithful witness to the evangelizing mission of the Church through the centuries.