Our annual tribute to José Martí on his birthday. Founding father of Cuba and leader of its last war of independence, José Martí (1853-1895) is also a towering figure in Cuban and Latin American literature. In his short life, he excelled as a poet, essayist, journalist, and revolutionary. Throughout the 1880’s and early 1890’s Martí worked as a foreign correspondent in New York City and his masterful narratives were the eyes through which much of Latin America saw the United States.
We will have an initial gathering at 1 pm in front of his iconic statue in Central Park (pictured below), where the traditional patriotic melodies of El Mambí and Clave a Martí will be sung. Those attending should bring a white rose to lay in our traditional basket. Those not attending the initial gathering, can leave their roses throughout the day.
After the floral offering, there will be a 2 pm lunch gathering at the nearby Cuban restaurant Guantanamera, where the group will discuss Martí’s legacy, as well as share commemorative readings.
José Martí Statue
in Central Park
59th Street, off 6th Ave., NYC
PUBLIC GATHERING
(NO RESERVATION
REQUIRED)
Guantanamera
Cuban Restaurant
939 8th Ave.,
off 56th Street
For links to songs cited above and Cuban historical footage from 1895,
please click below:
El Mambí
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKNhccD941I
Clave a Martí
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UafEcFOc_tw
With the promotional cooperation of 14yMedio, Rialta, and Diario de Cuba
