Bronze Plaque Honoring Poet José María Heredia Vanishes from Matanzas Street

A bronze plaque commemorating the poet José María Heredia has mysteriously disappeared from Río Street in Matanzas, leaving behind only a rectangular cement patch with two holes on a deteriorated wall. The incident was highlighted by Cuban photographer Julio César García, who shared the discovery on Facebook along with a photograph showing the empty spot where the plaque once hung.

García speculated on various scenarios regarding the plaque's fate. "Perhaps it's being restored, transformed into keys, or sold as scrap," he noted, pointing to a widespread issue in Cuba: the theft of metals like bronze, copper, and aluminum for resale amid the country's severe scarcity.

The Loss of Heritage and Identity

The artist, who directs the FOTOCANÍMAR Festival and the International Photography Colloquium of Matanzas, emphasized that the incident symbolizes more than just a material loss. "The metaphor is forgetfulness. It's about a lack of identity and the betrayal of an island's memory by those in power," he declared in his post.

Heredia holds a significant place as the first major romantic poet of Cuba and the Americas. His connection to Matanzas is profound; he lived there, practiced law, edited La Biblioteca de las Damas, and wrote part of his literary works. In October 1823, he penned "La estrella de Cuba" in Matanzas, considered the first openly pro-independence poem in Cuban literature. That same year, he fled into exile from the city's port.

Public Outcry and Cultural Neglect

The disappearance prompted outrage on social media. The Matanzas Pharmaceutical Museum’s profile reacted with a brief yet forceful comment: "Shameful treatment of heritage." One user lamented that the plaque was a rare reminder of José María Heredia's presence and contributions, warning that soon nothing of this historical memory will remain. Another commenter argued that not only history is being lost, but also "values, principles, education, and solidarity," blaming a failed system that prioritizes power over the people.

García linked the missing plaque to the broader crisis affecting Cubans, writing, "My people no longer have time to think, only to survive and avoid falling ill physically and mentally. How can they then have time for memory?" He suggested that this situation benefits those in power, exploiting the crisis for their gain.

A Broader Pattern of Neglect

The disappearance of the plaque honoring the author of "Himno del desterrado" is not an isolated case. In May, the theft of the historic plaque from the Armando Carnot children's park in Matanzas, dedicated to the "Doctor of the Poor," was reported. Additionally, the mausoleum of the independence martyrs in Cárdenas was left vulnerable after the theft of its gate, and in Holguín, the sword from the statue of Major General Julio Grave de Peralta was stolen for at least the third time. Five sculptures in the Plaza de la Marqueta are also at risk due to severe deterioration.

The pattern is clear: cultural institutions under the regime have shown a lack of capability or interest in protecting national heritage, while the unprecedented economic crisis drives people to take any valuable item they find. As one commenter noted, "even the wiring is being taken; this won't stop until there's nothing left."