Authorities of the Provincial Directorate of Culture in Cienfuegos, declared to the press that the closure of cultural centers and institutions due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the territory does not mean a paralyzation of artistic creation.

According to Arturo Javier Apezteguía Ibáñez, deputy director of this organization in the Pearl of the South, "at the present time we are subordinated to the measures of the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) and the Provincial Defense Council (CDP). Since last January 10, it was decided to suspend most of our cultural services in the capital city, in correspondence with the complex epidemiological scenario.

"The rest of the municipalities - he added - respond to the provisions of their respective Municipal Defense Councils. Now, today, although the province is going through Phase 1 of Covid-19 recovery, even the services of cultural centers, museums, libraries, bookstores and galleries remain closed here. There will be time to resume the activities of these institutions".

The setback of the sanitary situation in Cienfuegos is related to a rebound of positive cases of the new coronavirus, with an upward trend for weeks. However, Culture officials maintained that although the context is difficult, the creation processes continue.

Apezteguía Ibáñez pointed out that within the framework of Martí's day -on the 168th anniversary of José Martí's birth-, "artists have reasons to create from home, taking care of themselves and their families. Cultural life is not totally at a standstill and we will support all online projects so that people can nourish their spirit in these days of so much tension".

Taken from september 5th digital

English version Hector Hdez.