Einstein’s 30 hours in Cuba.

Although for many it may seem unusual, Havana witnessed the presence of one of the most prestigious architects of world scientific progress.

On Friday, December 19th, 1930, the island’s capital welcomed the arrival of the most eminent scientist of the 20th century, Albert Einstein, who only needed 30 hours on Antillean soil to witness the socioeconomic problems that afflicted a Cuba in the midst of a neocolonial period.

Unaware of the tropical climate and the intensity of the Antillean sun, he received from the staff of the luxurious El Encanto store the characteristic summer hat known as «jipijapa», in addition to bequeathing to our History his only snapshot taken by artist Gonzalo Lobo, in the photographic studio of the sumptuous facility.

As part of his program of activities in the country, in the morning he visited important sites such as the Secretariat of State and the halls of the Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of the city, while in the afternoon he attended a tribute by the Cuban Hebrew community and a banquet offered in his honor by the then president of the Academy at the roof-garden of the Plaza Hotel, and then toured the capital by car to visit the rural areas of the capital.

The tour included the exclusive Miramar neighborhood, the Country Club and Havana Yatch Club societies, the green countryside landscapes of Santiago de las Vegas, the Rancho Boyeros airport, the Industrial Technical School, the Vento Aqueduct waterworks and the Mazorra asylum for the mentally ill, as well as the Cuban Society of Engineers, in whose auditorium he expressed his gratitude for the deference and attentions received.

To the surprise of his guides and companions, the following day the scientist insisted on visiting the marginalized areas of the capital, witnessing the perceptible contrast of neighborhoods such as Pan con Timba and Llega y Pon, with the ostentatious areas of the city and recording it in his diary.

In the afternoon, Einstein left for Panama and in his honor the main window of the El Encanto store erected an elegant scenography with an enlargement of the portrait taken of him in the building, a dozen snapshots of the photojournalist Rafael Pegudo, belonging to the Spanish newspaper El País and the prophetic label «Science unites men and prevents wars», which the scientist pronounced to the press upon his arrival in Havana.

Almost a century after these events, the Cuban people immortalize the arrival of this personality, whose presence on the island continues to arouse the curiosity and pride of our nation.

Written by Yadiel Barbón Salgado.