Catalan presence at the Verte Matanzas meeting remembered.

The inauguration of the photographic exhibition Morenetas, by Matanzas artist Jesús Fernando Martínez León, in the main window of the Guiteras library, marked the beginning of the Verte, Matanzas gathering, sponsored by the outstanding visual artist in conjunction with the Art Room of the Gener y del Monte provincial library.

The gathering took place in a supportive and artistic atmosphere, to which Loreley Rebull, president of the Casal Catalán Gener y Guiteras, the director of the Historical Archive Carlos Torrent and the director of the library network Magaly Cárdenas were invited.

The event emphasized the remembrance of two key figures of the Catalan boom in the city of Yumurina. They are José Tomás Ventosa and Tomás Gener, personalities who offered their maximum support to the social advancement of the city.

Loreley praised the research of historian Arnaldo Jiménez de la Cal, which led him to publish the book José Tomás Ventosa, el Benefactor, inspired by the great social works carried out by the Catalan not only in Cuba, but also in his homeland of Vilanova y la Geltrú.

For his part, Torrent highlighted Gener’s role in the promotion of public hygiene and cultural institutions, such as the current public library, of which he is the founder together with Del Monte, as well as his outstanding functions in the Spanish Parliament together with Félix Varela.

The executive of the Casal Catalán launched the idea that the two heroes could be named Adoptive Sons of the City, in recognition of their arduous patrimonial and civic work.

During the event, attendees were delighted with the performance of the Bonanza trio, playing classic Cuban melodies.

Mario Norat, who was president of the Casal for 25 years, also spoke and told anecdotes of his stay in the Spanish sister city, in addition to the meetings here in Matanzas with the presence of prominent figures of the Catalan local government.

At the end of the meeting, the participation of the people in the Colla festival was emphasized, as a remembrance of those families that promoted the Hispanic traditions in the town.

Written by María Elena Bayón.