The Cultural Rights Observatory (ODC) issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the imminent collapse threat of the home-gallery of visual artist and activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, situated at 955 Damas Street in the San Isidro neighborhood, Old Havana municipality. The organization detailed on Facebook that the building—also the headquarters of the San Isidro Movement (MSI)—has experienced a partial collapse of its upper floor, jeopardizing the overall structural integrity of the residence.
This early 20th-century building, embodying a modest eclectic style typical of the working-class neighborhoods of that era, became a symbol in November 2020 during the San Isidro hunger strike. This event was a significant political and cultural milestone in Cuba, highlighting the struggle of artists, intellectuals, and activists against state censorship and repression.
"The neglect that plagues the housing infrastructure across the country is now threatening a building that has become a powerful symbol in the fight for cultural and human rights in Cuba," the ODC declared in a statement shared on social media.
In the absence of its owner, who has been imprisoned since July 11, 2021, the observatory condemned the "deliberate neglect" of the space despite its importance as a hub of cultural resistance. "This incident could destroy the only material asset left to someone who risked everything for his own freedom and that of others," they warned.
The organization also contrasted the dire situation of Otero Alcántara's home with nearby "official artist spaces," supported by state institutions and international bodies such as the European Union and UNESCO, terming it as "cultural whitewashing."
The ODC called upon international institutions and organizations based in Cuba, including the Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean and the National Council of Cultural Heritage, to take action and address the risk facing the artist's home-gallery.
FAQs on the Cultural Rights Observatory's Alert
What prompted the Cultural Rights Observatory's alert?
The Cultural Rights Observatory issued an alert due to the partial collapse of the upper floor of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara's home-gallery, which has compromised the building's structural integrity.
Why is the home-gallery of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara significant?
The home-gallery is significant as it was a central location during the San Isidro hunger strike in November 2020, a key event in Cuba's cultural and political landscape, symbolizing the fight against censorship and state repression.
How has the situation been described by the ODC?
The ODC has described the situation as "deliberate neglect" and emphasized the symbolic importance of the building in the struggle for cultural and human rights in Cuba.