After more than a hundred years, the image of Santiago Apostle returns to the streets of Santiago de Cuba.

The image of Santiago Apostle once again traversed the streets of Santiago de Cuba, after more than a hundred years, during its festivity this Thursday, as part of the celebrations for the 509th anniversary of the founding of the old colonial town.

The Santa Basílica Metropolitana Iglesia Catedral de Santiago de Cuba posted on Facebook that "after more than one hundred years, the image of Santiago Apóstol is once again taking to the streets of Santiago de Cuba on the day of his feast."

Beforehand, Monsignor Dionisio García Ibáñez, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, officiated a mass in honor of Santiago Apostle, patron of the Archdiocese and the city.

The ceremony also commemorated the 500th anniversary of the creation of the first diocese of Cuba, the construction of its cathedral, and the designation of Santiago de Cuba as the host city for both.

From the atrium of the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba and traditional for this date, Monsignor also blessed the city, as seen in a video shared by journalist Yosmany Mayeta on Facebook.

What stands out in the clip is the small number of people present at the mass, showing Parque Céspedes, the main urban space of the city and the heart of the old colonial villa, almost completely empty.

However, the official press in the province, reflecting the distancing between the Catholic Church and the regime, has only promoted an artistic gala as the main celebration for the anniversary of Santiago de Cuba.

"With the gala 'Santiago: 509 years in the heart of Cuba,' this city will welcome midnight in Parque Céspedes, marking the arrival of the 509th anniversary of the founding of the town of Santiago de Cuba," reported the Sierra Maestra newspaper.

As a backdrop and away from the official narrative, the people await this date to flow with the rhythm of the parades and lose themselves in the carnivals.

However, neither in the famous Rumbón Mayor will the people be able to celebrate as they have traditionally done, due to the prohibitive prices.

This year, the celebration of the people of Santiago for the new anniversary of their city takes place amid the threat of epidemics, the siege of blackouts, and with inflation that seems to have no end.