Friday, June 16, 2017

Che’s Memorial Complex Restored for His 89th Birthday
The Sculptural Complex dedicated to Ernesto Che Guevara and his comrades in arms has been completely restored to host the activities to mark the 89th anniversary of the Comandante’s birth this Wednesday, June 14

Ángel Freddy Pérez Cabrera | freddy@granma.cu
June 13, 2017 10:06:36

SANTA CLARA.– The Sculptural Complex dedicated to Ernesto Che Guevara and his comrades in arms has been completely restored to host the activities to mark the 89th anniversary of the Comandante’s birth this Wednesday, June 14. The site will see further activities in October, as the 50th anniversary of Che’s assassination in Bolivia is commemorated, as well as the 20th anniversary of the arrival of his and his comrades in arms’ remains to this city.

The restoration works, which began a little more than a month ago and were carried out by German company MD Projektmanagement GmbH, in collaboration with the Office of the Historian of Havana, included the capital restoration of all the elements making up the Complex, including its Jaimanitas’ stones and lettering in bronze, as well as the statue of Che, which after being cleaned with a special substance, was covered with a protective wax that has left it like new, explained Maira Romero Bermúdez, director of the Complex.

She added that the joints between paving slabs as well as the access stairs to the Museum and Memorial will be restored, and highlighted the quality of the work undertaken to date, as well as the contributions of the German company, which donated the over 70,000 euros to finance the restoration project.

For the first time, the Mausoleum to the Combatants of the Las Villas Front was restored, which included the cleaning of slabs, the eternal flame, and all the covers of the 220 existing niches, as well as tending to the surrounding gardens.

MD Projektmanagement GmbH President Michael Diegman noted that it has been an honor to have worked on this project, which offers a way to pay tribute to the gigantic figure of Che, not only recognized in Cuba, but across the world.

Diegman, whose company is also working on the restoration of Havana’s Capitolio building, explained that they did not use lime or cement in these works, as is customary in such cases, but high quality materials and products such as glass sand and pressurized air.

Works will continue over the next few days on the finishing touches of the restoration, including the installation of LED lights in the surrounding square’s lamps, in addition to the replacement of several fences and a group of palm trees that surround the Complex, explained the director of the institution.

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