A neoclassical sculpture made of white cement, donated by a local artist to Bauta in the province of Artemisa, remains surrounded by trash and vegetation, a situation that has sparked outrage and complaints from residents on social media.
The complaint was made by the editor Dulce María Sotolongo, who shared photographs of the work and expressed her sadness about the conditions in which it is found. "It saddened me to find the beautiful statue surrounded by trash and weeds. It is frustrating... because all it takes to cut the grass is strong arms and a machete," Sotolongo wrote on Thursday on her Facebook profile.
The sculpture, popularly known as "Diana," represents Diana with the fawn, the protector of the forest, explained in the comments Andrés Enrique Garcías Álvarez, which was shared this Sunday by Sotolongo. The figure holds a pitcher and a small plate, while a little deer appears beside her.
Garcías Álvarez clarified that it is a catalog sculpture made of white cement, which were sold in Havana between 1920 and 1950 to decorate parks, gardens, and estates throughout Cuba. The piece reproduces a European neoclassical model inspired by the Diana of Gabies in the Louvre Museum. "It is not the work of a famous sculptor, but it is part of Bauta's history," he emphasized.
According to the published comments, the sculpture was donated to the municipality by the plastic artist from Bauta, Oslier Pérez Miralles, to enhance the beauty of the town. "I am from Bauta and I know all its history since I am the wife of the artist from Bauta who donated it to the municipality," stated one of the commenters, who also expressed agreement with the complaint.
Another user pointed out that the work was moved from its original location by decision of the Codema commission (Advisory Council for the Development of Monumental and Environmental Sculpture), when it was led by an official named Evelio Sánchez. According to their account, this relocation brought it to the place where waste is currently accumulating.
The post elicited numerous reactions from people calling for the rescue of the sculpture and suggesting that it be relocated to the Municipal Museum or handed over to a cultural project. Some blamed the locals for throwing garbage around it, while others questioned the neglect from the institutions responsible for protecting the heritage.
"What is that beautiful piece of art doing in that dumpster?" asked one of the many users who reacted to the images.
"The statue is abandoned and beautiful; perhaps when someone takes it away, someone will come to enforce decrees," commented a user, alluding to the possibility that the authorities might react to a potential theft of the piece.
Sotolongo herself expressed her willingness to promote its rescue, while Garcías Álvarez voiced his concern for the future of the work. "I hope someone rescues it before it's completely lost," he wrote.
The neglect of the sculpture adds to other complaints about the deterioration of public spaces in the area. In January, residents of Bauta reported the presence of a huge garbage dump next to the People's Power office, a problem that remained unresolved for months.
In September, a street in Artemisa remained buried under debris for a week, while in May the sculpture The Woman with the Parasol, located in the Holguín boulevard, collapsed after weeks of visible deterioration without any intervention from the authorities.
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