Havana Historian Eusebio Leal, Two Years After His Death His ‘Oblivion’ is Decreed

14ymedio, Xavier Carbonell, Salamanca, 2 August 2022 — The legacy of Eusebio Leal, after two years of his death, fits in a couple of showcases and some tearful speech. An exhibition at the Elvira Cape Provincial Library, in Santiago de Cuba, was the greatest tribute to which the historian of Havana could aspire, far from the city to which … Continue reading “Havana Historian Eusebio Leal, Two Years After His Death His ‘Oblivion’ is Decreed”

Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Havana, Dies

14ymedio, Havana, 31 July 2020 — Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Havana, passed away this Friday after a long illness, as confirmed by the official newspaper Granma. A Doctor of Historical Sciences and specialist in Archaeological Sciences, Eusebio Leal Spengler was appointed director of the Museum of the City of Havana in 1967 and was considered … Continue reading “Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Havana, Dies”

Cuban Faces of 2016: Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Havana (b. Havana, 1942)

14ymedio, Havana, 25 December 2016 – Cuban Faces of 2016: With a doctorate in Historical Sciences and a specialty in Archaeological Sciences, in 1967 Eusebio Leal Spengler was appointed Director of the Museum of the City of Havana. He is considered to be the main promoter of the restoration of Old Havana and has a figure … Continue reading “Cuban Faces of 2016: Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Havana (b. Havana, 1942)”

With a Director Trained in Moscow, the Office of the Historian Has Russians in Its Blood

Perla Rosales, who replaced Eusebio Leal, is the daughter of one of Fidel Castro’s generals 14ymedio, Juan Izquierdo, Havana, July 21, 2024 — “When the Russians called us, Eusebio Leal used to say, ’Don’t even ask for my permission. Just go ahead.’” Perla Rosales, deputy-director of Havana’s Office of the Historian, leaves little doubt about … Continue reading “With a Director Trained in Moscow, the Office of the Historian Has Russians in Its Blood”

A One-Eyed Eusebio Leal Watches Over Old Havana’s Decline

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 16 March 2023 – The mural which has decorated for years the empty space left by a building collapse in Calle Teniente Rey (almost on the corner of Monserrate and next to the paladar [private restaurant] Kilómetro Cero) has deteriorated in a very short time. The portrait of the ’Historian … Continue reading “A One-Eyed Eusebio Leal Watches Over Old Havana’s Decline”

Eusebio Leal Takes Possession of the Plaza de Armas in Havana

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 17 November 2021 — The brand new statue of Eusebio Leal, inaugurated with pomp this Monday in front of the Museum of the City, the former palace of the Captains General in Old Havana, by the president-designate himself, Miguel Díaz-Canel, is only approached by national tourists, who are the only ones … Continue reading “Eusebio Leal Takes Possession of the Plaza de Armas in Havana”

Historian’s Office Employee Fired After Giving an Independent Talk

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 20 December 2019 — Claudia Genlui Hidalgo, now a former official of the Office of the Historian, has been fired from the agency after presenting a talk on independent art at the embassy of the Czech Republic in Havana, as she denounced to 14ymedio this Thursday, shortly after being notified of her expulsion. “Today … Continue reading “Historian’s Office Employee Fired After Giving an Independent Talk”

The Payret Manzana Will Have a Hotel but Will Keep the Cinema Says Eusebio Leal

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 15 January 2019 — “The Payret will continue to be a cinema for Cubans,” Eusebio Leal told the official cultural website La Jiribilla. Leal, Historian of Havana, wanted to settle the controversy over the fate of the old theater theater by confirming the construction of a hotel in the same block without affecting, according … Continue reading “The Payret Manzana Will Have a Hotel but Will Keep the Cinema Says Eusebio Leal”

Eusebio Leal’s Social Programs in Old Havana Disappear under GAESA / Juan Juan Almeida

Juan Juan Almeida, 2 February 2017 — On July 30, 2016 the new military management that officially took over the Cuban tourism company Habaguanex and other business entities that had belonged to the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana is planning to satisfy its own own financial needs by doing away with social … Continue reading “Eusebio Leal’s Social Programs in Old Havana Disappear under GAESA / Juan Juan Almeida”

Eusebio Leal Strikes Back Against the "Storm" / Juan Juan Almeida

Juan Juan Almeida, 19 October 2016 — As in the Greek epic, Eusebio Leal, the Captain of a small stronghold of Cuban historians, confronted Brigade General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Callejas and the Business Administration Group of the Armed Forces (FAR) with lively and poetic oratory. We know that FAR has taken possession of Habaguanex and several … Continue reading “Eusebio Leal Strikes Back Against the "Storm" / Juan Juan Almeida”

Cuban Military Takes Over Businesses of Havana Historian’s Office / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Mario Penton

14ymedio, Luz Escobar (Havana), Mario Penton (Miami), 16 August 2016 — “Do you see that building? Ten years ago it was full of stinking water, rats and trash. When people passed through the doorway a balcony could fall on their head. Today it is housing, thanks to the work of Eusebio,” Mirna says excitedly. After … Continue reading “Cuban Military Takes Over Businesses of Havana Historian’s Office / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Mario Penton”

Without Eusebio Leal, Habaguanex is Controlled by the Military / Iván García

Iván García, 9 August 2016 — The sun illuminates the Plaza Vieja, and a humid heat transforms the place into an open-air sauna. When you set foot on the cobblestones, the sensation you have is one of walking on burning embers. At the entrance of the planetarium, dozens of kids accompanied by their parents get in … Continue reading “Without Eusebio Leal, Habaguanex is Controlled by the Military / Iván García”

The Military’s Coup d’Etat Against Eusebio Leal’s Empire / Juan Juan Almeida

Juan Juan Almeida, 1 August 2016 — The principal sources of income of the business, Habaguanex, and the Office of the Historian of Havana, are now officially part of the Group of Business Administration [GAE] of the Revolutionary Armed Forces; and the rest are removed or scrapped. After a long process that ended in this … Continue reading “The Military’s Coup d’Etat Against Eusebio Leal’s Empire / Juan Juan Almeida”

The Military Takeover of Eusebio Leal’s Empire / Juan Juan Almeida

Juan Juan Almeida, 14 June 2016 — Capitalizing on the ill health of Dr. Eusebio Leal* to further strengthen its commercial and business supremacy over every corner of the island, the state-owned tourism company Habaguanex will in one day, October 30, assume ownership of the historic heart of Old Havana. The area will be completely … Continue reading “The Military Takeover of Eusebio Leal’s Empire / Juan Juan Almeida”

Eusebio Leal: “In Cuba There Is No Anti-US Sentiment, Only Anti-Imperialist” / 14ymedio, Sara Gomez

EFE/14ymedio, Sara Gomez Armas, Havana, 6 August 2015 — A few days before the American flag will fly above the embassy in Havana, the city’s historian and Cuban intellectual Eusebio Leal said in an interview with EFE that Cuba had never had “an anti-United States sentiment, only an anti-imperialist sentiment.” “Cubans have always understood this subtlety. … Continue reading “Eusebio Leal: “In Cuba There Is No Anti-US Sentiment, Only Anti-Imperialist” / 14ymedio, Sara Gomez”