Reasons for Loving a City
What’s so special about Santiago that makes us fall in love with it, that captivates us with its flavor and color and thumps into our chest with passion?
Click on Santiago de Cuba: A City of 500 Years
It’s impossible not to love this city, where both history and culture coexist in a singular way.
Perhaps Bolero and Son were born in the city’s bars or in front of some window, inspired by a woman. The truth is that these musical genres have gone beyond time and popularity.
Jose Maria Heredia, author of Exile’s Anthem, was born in this region. Jose Marti said: “Heredia was born where the highest palm trees grow in Cuba: the tireless Santiago.”
Intrepid spirits are forged in these hot lands, with unrivalled courage, ready to face injustice and tyrannies. I just have to mention such names as Mariana Grajales, who encouraged her sons to go to war; brave Maceo brothers and that phrase referred to Antonio, “his mind is as powerful as his arm”, or Jose “the Eastern Lion”; as well as brother Frank and Josue Pais Garcia, who risked their lives in clandestine war, along with many other women and men that gave their lives for their ideas.
The Revolution was clandestinely plotted in its narrow streets and it contributed to the fight on the mountains. That’s the reason why its mountains proudly house the mortal remains of combatants from the 2nd and 3rd Front.
This is where the plan to assault Moncada Barracks was devised, as a boost in the fight against Batista, and the people of Santiago opened their doors to those young women and men that managed to escape from death.
Santiago de Cuba witnessed how young people died in its streets or put their lives on the line for their ideas. This is where the Vilma of all women was born. It doesn’t matter if she’s recalled as Alicia, Monica, Deborah or Mariela, she will always be the President of Cuban women, champion of children, the one that devoted her life to foster equity between women and men, sexual education, the eternal combatant from the mountain and the city.
The mortal remains of the Apostle and the Father of Homeland rest in this city, as a symbol of this people’s patriotism and Cuban identity.
It’s the only Hero City of the Republic of Cuba and the only one that holds Antonio Maceo Order, which speaks high of its people and idiosyncrasy.
This city knows no bounds or defeat. We’re the province with the highest number of Olympic medals.
Living in Santiago entails being a fighter in all spheres of life. We have names like Orestes Kindelan, Braudilio Vinent, Norge Luis Vera, Rey Isaac, Enrique Figuerola, and many others that make up the list of sports glories.
Even with some handicaps, our people show that nothing can stop them from reaching their goals. Yunidis Castillo and Omara Duran are the best proof.
There is not a single corner without a piece of history, all rocks have been thrown to the enemy and all windows have been opened by guitars. There are millions of reasons to fall for this city. That’s why its people are so peculiar, they love like the sound of the guitar and fight with the rhythm of drums. Santiago, our Santiago, is a haven of love.
