It has been three months since the collapse of the sculpture "The Woman with the Umbrella" on Holguín's pedestrian boulevard on Libertad Street, yet neither government officials nor cultural authorities have provided any public updates regarding its future or potential restoration.
On Sunday, the Facebook page Holguín in Photos questioned, "What is the current status of the sculpture, and what will happen to it? Can any government or cultural authority provide us with some information?"
Local writer José Poveda Cruz remarked on the event, saying, "The young lady vanished, the umbrella vanished, leaving just the base: a lonely, grotesque pedestal standing in the boulevard as if waiting for something unknown. True to the tradition of naming minor urban disasters, I’ve dubbed it the ‘nuisance’."
Poveda noted that while he understands that "creating and placing a sculpture requires money, materials, time, and effort," he argued that "removing the nuisance seemed like a simpler task: taking away the base, smoothing the ground, and allowing those who clean the boulevard to restore its shine to this small area overtaken by neglect."
He suggested erecting a monument to "Concha," a popular figure in Holguín's history, on the vacant pedestal.
Meanwhile, he added, "the woman with the umbrella remains missing, and the nuisance stays put. The city lost a statue and inadvertently gained a monument to waiting."
Background of the Sculpture's Collapse
The sculpture fell on the night of May 16, weeks after Holguín in Photos had publicly warned about its deterioration, citing severe cracks, holes in the base, exposed rusty metal rods, and a dangerous lean. Authorities ignored these warnings for weeks.
After the collapse, the sculpture was moved to the home of its creator, known as Silvio, who was in Mexico at the time and directed its removal remotely to prevent further damage.
"We’ve removed it from its location and are on our way to leave it safely at Silvio's home until a decision is made to restore and reinstall it," reported the content creator behind Holguín in Photos.
Lingering Issues and Community Frustration
What remains untouched is the pedestal. The empty base has blocked pedestrian traffic on the boulevard for months, with no indication from any institution that it plans to move it.
This incident adds to a series of documented neglects of Holguín's heritage, such as the partial collapse of the Ismaelillo Theater's roof in May, the decay of five sculptures in the central Plaza de la Marqueta, repeated theft of the sword from Julio Grave de Peralta's statue, the theft of a bronze star from the mausoleum of Major General Calixto García, and the conversion of the former Holguín-Gibara railway station into a dump site.
Citizens have voiced their frustration on social media about the official silence. Some recalled that for decades Holguín was considered one of Cuba's cleanest and best-preserved cities, lamenting that this collective pride is fading due to the authorities' inaction.
Others highlighted the irony of this situation in a city that prides itself on being the "Cuban City of Parks."
Questions About Holguín's Cultural Heritage
What led to the collapse of the sculpture "The Woman with the Umbrella"?
The sculpture collapsed due to severe deterioration, including deep cracks, holes, exposed rusty metal rods, and a dangerous lean, which had been publicly noted by local observers weeks before the incident.
Why is the empty pedestal still on Holguín's boulevard?
The pedestal remains because no government or cultural institution has taken responsibility for removing it, despite it obstructing pedestrian traffic for months.
What is the significance of Holguín's sculpture neglect?
The neglect of the sculpture is part of a broader pattern of heritage abandonment in Holguín, including the decay of other historical sites and monuments, reflecting the authorities' negligence and the city's fading pride in its cultural identity.