The city of Camagüey, one of the most important towns in Cuba, celebrates its 511th birthday, and is now consolidated as a cultural and historical reference point in the largest of the Antilles.Originally founded as Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe, the city also commemorates Culture Week, paying homage to the Virgin of Candelaria, a sacred deity in the ecclesiastical tradition of the region.
According to the city historian, José Rodríguez, the first Spanish settlement in 1514, located in Pueblo Viejo, near the bay of Nuevitas, did not prosper due to the adverse conditions of the place. Later, the town was moved to the banks of the Caonao River, the site of one of the first clashes with a local chieftaincy, with tragic consequences for the inhabitants of the area.
It was not until 1528 that the city began to be built in its current location, around the Agramonte Park, formerly the Plaza de Armas. This emblematic space, full of history, is today the heart of a city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008, thanks to its material and immaterial wealth.The city is distinguished by its winding, cobbled streets, its eclectic architecture and its General Cemetery, the oldest in Cuba in operation since 1814. In addition, it is recognized as the cradle of Cuban literature, being the place where Silvestre de Balboa wrote in 1608, "Mirror of Patience", considered the first literary work of the nation.
The city is also the land of illustrious people such as Nicolás Guillén, National Poet; Carlos J. Finlay, discoverer of the transmitting agent of yellow fever; and Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, one of the most outstanding figures of Hispanic literature. With a wide sociocultural mix, religious traditions and a unique architectural heritage, Camagüey stands out as an essential destination for lovers of city tourism in Cuba.
With a wide sociocultural mix, religious traditions and a unique architectural heritage, Camagüey stands out as an essential destination for lovers of city tourism in Cuba.On this occasion, the celebrations for its anniversary include exhibitions, musical performances in squares and parks, and literary activities in the Provincial Library.
In addition, the traditional Handicraft Fair is held, sponsored by the Cuban F.and artistic proposal. Camagüey, with more than five centuries of history, continues to be a bastion in the formation of the Cuban nationality and a cultural reference space in the Caribbean.
(Taken from Prensa Latina)