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Casa Victor Hugo to open in Havana
• One of the eminent writer’s
great-grandaughters will attend • It will be based
in an 18th century home restored by the City
Historian’s Office with French cooperation
BY MIREYA CASTAÑEDA—Granma International Staff
Writer—
CITY historian Eusebio Leal has
announced the upcoming inauguration in Old Havana of
the Casa Victor Hugo, which will be based in an 18th
century mansion on Calle O’Reilly.
During a press conference at the
City Museum, Leal introduced Roger Grevoul,
president of the French association, Cuba
Cooperación, which played an important role in
searching for financial support to restore the
building.
The City Historian spoke briefly
about Victor Hugo’s warmth toward Cuba and its
independence, and recalled that during his stay in
Paris, José Martí met the great writer and later
would profoundly reflect in his writing what Hugo
meant for the world of his time.
Leal explained that on the 150th
anniversary of the birth of the author of Les
Miserables, Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring,
Havana’s first city historian, unveiled a monument
to Hugo in one of El Vedado’s parks, and it is now
believed that the best way to celebrate the
bicentennial would be an institution under the
auspices of the Historian’s office, such as the
existing ones of Simón Bolívar and Benito Juárez.
The restoration of the house –
with an external appearance that classifies it as
neo-classical style – was completed after exhaustive
archeological and historical research. Through the
former, objects associated with French pharmacy and
medicine were obtained, and the latter indicates
that the house belonged to several important Havana
families, including that of the illustrious scholar
Felipe Poey.
Leal also announced that for the
inauguration on March 16, one of Victor Hugo’s
great-granddaughters will be arriving, along with
another 100 French guests, who will give lectures
and participate in roundtable discussions. He
highlighted the exhibits Sonrisas de mujeres
(Women’s Smiles), by photographer Michel Belhomme,
and Victor Hugo visto por creadores franceses
(Victor Hugo as seen by French creators), which are
large pieces of cloth that hang from Old Havana’s
balconies. He also called attention to the
Friendship Concert at the Amphitheater, in which
French singer Nilda Fernández will perform together
with Cuban pianist Aldo López-Gavilán.
For his part, Roger Grevoul
commented: “The House is already done. I, who saw it
in ruins, know that it is an extraordinary work.”
He confirmed that many people
were mobilized in France for this renovation, and
especially thanked the French Senate, which gave a
substantial financial contribution.
Grevoul added that the House of
Victor Hugo in Paris donated a collection of
high-quality reproductions, as well as books and
documents (the Casa in Havana will have a library as
well as classrooms for teaching French, with
cooperation from Alianza Francesa).
To the question “Why in Old
Havana?” he responded: “Because for Cuba and France,
it represents a very important cultural and social
place. Its renovation is being carried out with a
very special spirit, unlike in capitalist countries.
Here, the center of restoration and preservation is
the people.”
The Casa Victor Hugo in Havana –
Roger Grevoul concluded – is a product of the will
between Cuba and France. |
