Posted in Creativity, Culture, People, Travel & Tourism, tagged artists, Francisco Toledo, memorials, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, photos, stencils, street art, wall art on September 5, 2020| 4 Comments »
This morning, the steps leading into the Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca (IAGO) were a reminder that it was one year ago today that Oaxaca and the world lost artist, philanthropist, and fighter for social justice and the environment, Francisco Toledo.
The Maestro can still be seen along the streets of Oaxaca — his creative spirit lives on.
Posted in Books, Creativity, Culture, History, Holidays, Labor, Libraries, People, Travel & Tourism, tagged Biblioteca Nacional José Martí, Cuba, El Sitial Moncada, Guantanamera, Havana, José Martí, memorials, music, photographs, photos, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Revolución, popular travel destinations, v, waiters, writers on May 1, 2016| 4 Comments »
What can one say about a country that celebrates a poet/essayist/philosopher/journalist as a national hero? Granted, José Martí was also a fierce fighter for Cuban independence from Spain and died in battle on May 19, 1895, shot by Spanish troops in Dos Ríos, Cuba.
However, it is his writings that appear to be his most powerful and lasting legacy. Exiled from Cuba due to his political activity against Spain, he spent many years in the United States and while there, he wrote a passionate report following the 1886 execution by hanging in Chicago of the Haymarket martyrs. And so, let’s commemorate this May Day with words from José Martí…
Every human being has within him an ideal man, just as every piece of marble contains in a rough state a statue as beautiful as the one that Praxiteles the Greek made of the god Apollo. — José Martí
Memorial José Martí, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana
To educate is to give man the keys to the world, which are independence and love, and to give him strength to journey on his own, light of step, a spontaneous and free being. — José Martí
Biblioteca Nacional José Martí, Havana
Men are like the stars; some generate their own light while others reflect the brilliance they receive. —José Martí
Display at the Biblioteca Nacional José Martí, Havana
Man can never be more perfect than the sun. The sun burns us with the same light that warms us. The sun has spots (stains). The ungrateful only talk about the spots (stains). The grateful talk about the light. — José Martí, La edad de oro
Courtyard of El Sitial Moncada, Havana
In a time of crisis, the peoples of the world must rush to get to know each other. — José Martí
Bookseller stall in the Plaza de Armas, Havana
I have a white rose to tend
In July as in January;
I give it to the true friend
Who offers his frank hand to me. — José Martí
Dagoberto, our waiter at a bar on the grounds of Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro, Havana — the white rose he made and presented to me
If translated back into Spanish, those last words may sound familiar to you…
Cultivo una rosa blanca,
En julio como en enero,
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca.
This Playing for Change YouTube video may refresh your memory, then there is Pete Seeger. The above is one of four stanzas from Martí’s Versos Sencillos that are often used as lyrics to Guantanamera.
Posted in People, Tragedy, tagged memorials, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, sidewalk memorial on May 27, 2013| 4 Comments »
It’s been two years since he fell asleep at the wheel, slammed into a tree, and was killed instantly. A memorial plaque and flowers soon appeared. There were rumors of intoxication, but that doesn’t lessen a mother’s pain or love. And she continues to come weekly to place fresh flowers at the site where he died.
Though I didn’t know Víctor Damián Díaz González, I too continue to remember him every time I walk down the street.
Posted in People, Tragedy, tagged memorials, Mexico, Oaxaca, photo, photographs, sidewalk memorial on July 1, 2011| 1 Comment »
Sadly, the tree mentioned in my last post didn’t fall as a result of wind and rain. According to newspaper reports, it was slammed into by a Chevy Silverado; the driver apparently had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
