The most precious gift that several Holguin artists gave to Pope Francis 10 years ago wasn’t gold or silver, or any valuable jewel. But a handmade book whose every piece paid tribute to Our Lady of Charity of Cobre.
The story began in 1995, when the Cuadernos Papiro Publishing House workshop was just a dream, and a group of artisans, designers, and artists came together with the idea of creating a unique piece. Of which only three copies existed, dedicated entirely to the Patron Saint of Cuba, the one who arrived in Cuba via Nipe Bay in the 17th century.
Manuel Arias, current director of “Papiro,” said that it wasn’t until the arrival of the Supreme Pontiff was approaching that the dream took shape. As if it were a miraculous idea, something rarely seen in the city occurred: the union of artists, writers, and artisans. Who although they did not profess the same faith, believed in the goodness of the first Latin American Pope and in the Cuban people’s devotion to their Cachita.
“Now we are celebrating 10 years, but I remember it as if it were yesterday when, with Tatiana Zúñiga, who then ran the publishing house, we revived the idea and began collecting poems and writings. Including the letter that veterans of the Wars of Independence wrote to Pope Benedict XV asking him to proclaim the Virgin of Charity of Cobre Patron Saint of Cuba,” he recounted.
“We wanted it to be a ‘jewel’ to honor a man like Francis, whose pontificate was an example of commitment to the poor and just causes. A Pope admired by believers and non-believers alike, but above all, a book that spoke of Holguin and, at the same time, of all of Cuba,” confessed Tatiana Zúñiga, who led the project a decade ago.
She explained that such an undertaking could only be achieved through teamwork, from the publishing house, and with a passion that gave meaning to every detail. They shared the scoop with the artists involved, including Cosme Proenza, José Emilio Leyva, Magalys Reyes, Ronal Guillén, Ramiro Ricardo, Dagoberto Driggs, Orlando Carralero, and Ernesto Blanco, whose piece gave the book its title.
He recalled that Ernesto Blanco initially faced the difficulty of not knowing how to approach a Virgin from a religion he didn’t profess. But he was asked to try and find something to believe in, and he ultimately created one of the most spectacular pieces in the series: ” Devotion of the Cuban people to the Virgin.” From then on, they knew it couldn’t be called anything else, Manuel Arias explained.
The piece, placed at the end, gave it a unique melody that brought the work to a close for every viewer. Manuel treasures the experience of that time when a Vatican commission came to the workshop shortly before the Pope’s visit. Reviewed the book, and, upon reaching the last page, the young people burst into tears.
Tatiana Zúñiga knew that every aspect of the craft was vital, from the opening of the first page to the closing. So she decided to present the work in a casket not made of cedar or precious woods, nor of industrial workmanship, but of royal palm wood from Barajagua. The first site of worship to the Virgin after her appearance in the waters of Nipe. The artist identified Luis Silva as the perfect man to create the pieces for this purpose.
The construction of the casket was a work of art in itself, with a mechanism that elevated the volume’s contents before the viewer. Each piece was carved from the historic wood with meticulous attention to detail. Taking care of everything from the subtlety of the movements to the traditional lines perceived. Since it offered the essence of Cuban craftsmanship to the world, a concept that defines Silva’s aesthetic.
The result was a hybrid book, with texts by Martí, Nicolás Guillén, Lezama Lima, and Dulce María Loynaz, among others. Also original works in each copy, as well as a chest that exceeded expectations: the flag was carved into the palm trunk. Preserving texture and simplicity, with barely a nail. Everything was preserved with natural products and polished with beeswax, Tatiana commented.
For Tatiana, Manuel, and Silva, each of those pages expressed not only the maturity of its authors, but also the fervor of a country in different eras and marked a before and after for them as creators, like Papyrus, People, and Nation. As it was a tribute not only to Pope Francis, but also to the devotion of the Cuban people to Our Lady of Charity.
A decade after that historic tour by Francis through Havana, Holguin, and Santiago de Cuba. The gesture endures in the cultural and religious memory of the nation. In that copy preserved in the Vatican to preserve the bond between Cuban art and faith.
With information from the Cuban News Agency
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