"The culture is as dim as its circuits": They lament the abandonment of the AHS headquarters in Mayabeque

While the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS) is preparing activities for its 40th anniversary, a report from San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, reveals a very different reality: the deterioration and decline in activity of the organization's provincial headquarters.

A post on Facebook by the user Luna Stardust, shared on Thursday, describes the space as "a crypt of silence that holds the ghosts of those beautiful years."

The author recalls the venue since 2014 and reminisces about the years when the boulevard of San José de las Lajas brought together musicians and audiences from municipalities such as Jaruco, Melena del Sur, Güines, Bejucal, and Quivicán.

"There was movement. There was life. There was culture," he wrote, contrasting that period with the current state of the space, which, according to his testimony, has lost much of the activity that once defined it.

The publication attributes the decline to both the economic crisis, the lack of fuel, and power outages, as well as issues in the management of the institution.

"At certain moments, there has been a lack of WILL from those who have had the direction of the place," he stated. According to his account, musicians and projects even offered to perform without payment, but found no response.

The comments also left numerous memories from former attendees. A Cuban stated that between 2002 and 2008, "that place was constantly buzzing with activities: exhibitions, discussions, recorded music, bands," and even recalled free concerts featuring the troubadour Frank Delgado.

Another user, who claimed to have been one of the founders, remembered the headquarters as “a magical space, our hideaway.” Others placed its most active period between the late nineties and the early years of this century.

"That's how almost all cultural venues are," lamented another commentator.

The complaint adds to other signs of the deterioration of public spaces in San José de las Lajas. In July, the Municipal Multifunctional Hall was reported to be in ruins, after hosting concerts, theater performances, and circus shows for many years.

The situation contrasts with the AHS's preparations to celebrate its 40th anniversary on October 18, featuring over twenty events, audiovisual projects, and the Young Art Festival "La Mekánica."

The author herself summarized the contrast between the celebrations and the reality she denounces from Mayabeque with a phrase: "It is truly a pity that today the culture of a people is as dim as their circuits."