Mexican airs in Havana

By: Claudia Álvarez Delgado
Photos: Courtesy of the institution
Consulted authors: Miguel Hernández Montesino, Rolando Aniceto and Víctor Pérez Galdós

Every July 14th, Mexico remembers the death of Benito Juárez, known as the Meritorious of the Americas due to his permanent defense of sovereignty and the rights of nations. An outstanding figure of The Reform progressive movement, he presided for the first time in 1857 the Aztec nation.  He visited Havana twice (1853 and 1862), where the ceremony is still in force.  The main Mexican cultural centre in Cuba, named after him, is located in a colonial palace in Havana’s Historic Center.

The Benito Juárez House was inaugurated on November 1st 1988 through the auspice of the City Historian Office supported by the Mexican Embassy and the Cuban Institute of People’s Friendship.  The premises built at the end of the XVIII century belonged to the Pedroso family, one of the oldest of Havana’s oligarchy.  Its wide spaces were refurbished to accommodate archeological, historic, art, traditions and custom samples of the Aztec country, as well as transitory exhibitions of Mexican and Cuban plastic artists.  Music, literature and cinema have been specially promoted by the center, being the most beneficial manifestations of cultural exchange between both countries.

The institution also comprises a modern conference room and the Alfonso Reyes library, conserving more than seven thousand titles specialized in Mexican themes, collected since 1966.  Besides, the House is Headquarters of the Cuban Mexican Society of Cultural Relations and the Benito Juárez University Chapter.  Important Mexican ephemeredes are celebrated there: Juárez birthday (March 21th), the beginning of the Mexican Revolution (November 20th), the Dolores Revolt (September 16th) and the Day of the Dead (November 1-2); unquestionably, an excellent space to approach one of the richest Latin American cultures.

CASA BENITO JUÁREZ
116 Obrapía Street corner of Mercaderes, Old Havana
Phone: (537) 861 8166,
E-mail: mexico@cultural.ohch.cu
Open: Tuesday through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.