The discussion about the fate of the stone marking Fidel Castro's ashes in Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in a democratic Cuba resurfaced during a recent interview with CiberCuba. Albertico Pujol, a well-known Cuban actor, expressed his opinion on keeping the monument as a reminder of the hardships Cuba has endured under the Castro regime.
As soon as this topic was raised, viewers suggested destroying it or throwing it into the sea. In an ironic tone, Pujol referenced these ideas, saying, “If they throw it into the sea, it should be with a chain. That stone is a headache,” he joked.
Pujol was adamant about not removing the stone that marks the burial site of the former Cuban dictator. “No, I wouldn’t take it away. Want to know why? So that people realize that we've lived through everything we should never experience again because of that stone,” he stated.
He explained that the monument could serve as a lasting reminder of the impact of more than six decades of regime rule in Cuba. “This is a reminder of why everything that happened to us has happened,” he noted.
The actor emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory to avoid repeating past mistakes. “Fifty or sixty-seven years in a person’s life is an entire lifetime, but in the history of the universe, it's nothing. We cannot afford to forget these things,” he remarked.
During his interview with CiberCuba, Albertico Pujol also shared his hopes for Cuba to become the country it “deserves to be,” highlighting that the Cuban people are “very good” despite enduring significant hardships over the past 67 years.
He mentioned that he has no plans to return to Cuba if change occurs because, in his view, Miami is also Cuba. He expressed no regret for his decision to leave his homeland, despite it distancing him from television and film, prioritizing his children's future, realizing there was nothing for them to anticipate in Cuba.
When asked by CiberCuba about the kind of transition he envisions, the artist was clear: "As long as there’s a Castro in power, nothing can be done." He also opposed engaging in dialogues with the regime.
Cuban Transition and Albertico Pujol's Views
What does Albertico Pujol suggest should happen to Fidel Castro's tombstone?
Albertico Pujol suggests keeping the tombstone as a reminder of the hardships experienced under the Castro regime. He humorously mentioned that if it were to be thrown into the sea, it should be with a chain.
Why does Albertico Pujol believe historical memory is important?
Pujol believes historical memory is crucial to prevent repeating past mistakes. He emphasizes that although decades of hardship are significant in a person's life, they are minor in the grand scheme of history, and thus, they should not be forgotten.